2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner could trace its heritage back to the SUV craze of the 1980s when SUVs were robust vehicles with rugged construction, often sharing underpinnings with pickup trucks. Despite the shift of many SUVs to more car-based platforms over the years, the 4Runner maintained its connection to the Toyota Tacoma pickup, embracing a classic, adventure-ready persona.

Toyota didn't stubbornly cling to this design choice; instead, it strategically positioned the Highlander to fulfill family-hauling duties, affording the 4Runner the luxury of being the go-to vehicle for off-road enthusiasts. The 4Runner proudly wore its adventurous spirit on its sleeve. From its high ride height and boxy proportions to its sharply angled front bumper, every aspect of the 4Runner’s design prioritized functionality.

Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. Trim options included SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited. The standard SR5 trim came equipped with features like push-button start, remote keyless entry, a power-sliding rear window, satellite radio, multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR5 also featured Toyota Safety Sense P for enhanced safety.

The Trail Special Edition, which we test drove, came with unique features like 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, all-weather floor mats, and a premium accessory cooler – elements that complemented its “Lunar Rock” paint scheme brilliantly.

The TRD Sport added 20-inch alloy wheels and X-REAS performance suspension, while the TRD Off-Road focused on off-road capabilities with standard 4WD, a locking rear differential, and a terrain management system, among other features. The range-topping TRD Pro improved further with enhanced shock absorbers, a 15-speaker JBL stereo, and a moonroof. The more street-oriented Limited trim featured 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Conversely, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator marked luxury with its triple-black Navigator Reserve model, loaded with Monochromatic Package black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Although keeping the Infinite Black vehicle clean proved challenging, alternatives like Pristine White or Ceramic Pearl allowed for a fresher appearance.

The Navigator impressed with its upscale cabin, adorned with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. At night, the ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added character to the sophisticated space. This triple-row SUV delivered comfort with its roomy captain's chairs and a third-row that accommodated even taller passengers comfortably. Despite a few challenges with the overly adjustable Perfect Position front seats, the massaging feature ensured satisfaction once properly set.

The Navigator shone in storage and cargo capacity, offering expansive space and Lincoln Play's rear-seat entertainment option, although it sometimes went unused in favor of personal devices.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with a single-engine option, a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Although it delivered a decent jump off the line and was reliable, its dated nature made it feel underwhelming in most driving situations, especially when paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The available 4WD with low range enhanced its ruggedness.

For those unfamiliar with traditional trucks or SUVs, the 4Runner's ride could feel harsh and cumbersome, exhibiting considerable body roll and jostling over bumps. However, these attributes became advantageous off-road, where the suspension's roughness on pavement transformed into effortless absorption of trail obstacles. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road trims enhanced this further with Crawl Control and locking differential. When adequately equipped, the 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, equipped solely with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, generated a mighty 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. Although the Navigator had an EPA rating of 18 mpg in combined driving, our test vehicle achieved only 15.6 mpg on the Southern California loop.

The Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available as an optional mode. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview aimed to prepare the suspension for upcoming road conditions. Unfortunately, despite activating the Excite driving mode for improved performance, the SUV didn't handle as expected. The steering was slow, brakes struggled under the nearly three-ton curb weight, and urban maneuverability proved challenging due to its size.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner delivered a functional yet less efficient cabin layout. The two-row version offered 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the three-row model fell slightly to 88.8 cubic feet. With the second row in use, it provided 47.2 cubic feet of space in the two-row version and 46.3 cubic feet in the three-row version. Although the third row brought the seating capacity to seven, it reduced the cargo space behind it to just 9 cubic feet. Despite not having a power rear liftgate, the 4Runner's power-open/close rear window made accessing the cargo area more convenient.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, however, exemplified full-size SUV functionality with its spacious interior. It provided ample room for passengers across all three rows and offered the extended Navigator L model for even more cargo space. The standard Navigator had 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Navigator L significantly increased these figures to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively. Power-deploying running boards, extensive storage solutions, and an uncluttered interior augmented the overall functionality.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner's technology suite included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with hard buttons and dials, alongside Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. While more advanced systems existed, the 4Runner's tactile controls suited its near-analog driving style. However, the lack of a larger screen, head-up display, or other advanced features reflected its dated nature.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available widescreen head-up display, and dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. Its Sync 4 system excelled with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, Wi-Fi hotspot access, enhanced navigation with voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. Despite the wireless charger overheating smartphones, pairing and functionality were seamless. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System and Phone As A Key technology further elevated the Navigator's tech credentials.

Despite its age, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner remained competitive with its Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The 4Runner earned mixed ratings from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal and side-impact, and three stars for rollover testing.

Lincoln fortified the 2023 Navigator with advanced driving assistance systems like Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system for designated highways, sometimes required frequent driver intervention, particularly in challenging driving situations. Although comprehensive crash test ratings were unavailable, the Navigator earned a 5-star side-impact rating and a 4-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.