2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to redefine the minivan's aesthetic appeal. Toyota's designers gave it a more SUV-like appearance, featuring a wide grille and sleek LED headlamp arrays integrated into a panel with the Toyota logo. The side profile showcased assertive lines, with reworked sliding side doors that bulged over the rear wheels, enhancing its sculpted look. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches added to its visual appeal. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, a higher seating position, and a simple, uncluttered dashboard. The center console was practical, featuring a gear selector, cup holders, and a large storage compartment. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row offering sliding options for maximum utility.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end was restyled with an Audi-esque grille, which some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering ample display acreage. The Navigator continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with various trim levels, starting at $78,405. The Black Label trim, with its luxurious Central Park theme, provided heated, ventilated, and massaging second-row captain’s chairs, making it a standout in comfort and luxury.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid marked Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, while maximizing fuel efficiency, tended to blunt throttle response. The Sienna offered four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was significantly improved with new TNGA front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The big news was its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city, highway, and combined, while AWD models were rated at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension featured Road Preview, which prepared the suspension for bumps and potholes. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator handled various driving conditions effortlessly, including snow and mud, thanks to its 9.7 inches of ground clearance and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator 4WD was expected to return 18 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, facilitating access to the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders and ample storage cubbies. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Power-operated sliding doors and tailgate responded to kick motions, enhancing family-friendly convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massage, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seat remained roomy and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded (73.3 in Navigator L), and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Toyota Sienna was packed with technology, featuring a standard nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display, with a 10-inch Head-Up Display available on Platinum trims. The digital rearview mirror and Smart Key System added to the convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering dual data panels for navigation and music. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were user-friendly. Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a voice recognition system that performed well. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. It featured 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings, but 2021 ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was newly standard. ActiveGlide allowed for semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator's safety features performed well during testing, though the driver still needed to remain attentive.