2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, maintained its elegant and imposing presence without significant updates from the previous year. Despite the anticipation of an electric version, the current model continued to impress with its sophisticated design and luxurious features. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, showcased the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, although keeping it clean proved challenging. Inside, the cabin exuded an upscale feel with quality materials, ambient lighting, and real wood trim, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna, available in various trims including the sporty XSE, offered a distinctive and stylish look for a minivan. With sleek front and rear fascias and vibrant color options, the Sienna maintained its "swagger wagon" vibe. The XSE trim featured a black metallic mesh front grille, black heated side mirrors, and 20-inch dark wheels, enhancing its sporty appeal. The Woodland Edition catered to those seeking a bit more off-road capability, with features like roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Sienna provided a spacious and functional interior, with options for leather-trimmed seats and a fixed center console with satin accents.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered a range of driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its power, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with the adaptive damping suspension failing to smooth out smaller bumps. In Excite mode, the SUV's performance improved, but at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size posed challenges in urban environments, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, a hybrid minivan, combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 245 horsepower. While not designed for high-performance driving, the Sienna offered a smooth and efficient ride, particularly in Normal or Eco mode. The sport-tuned suspension and Sport mode provided some improvement in acceleration, but the minivan remained sluggish off the line. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less engaging driving experience, though the Sienna excelled in urban settings with its light and accurate steering and excellent visibility.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across three rows and a generous cargo area. The power-deploying running boards facilitated easy access to the cabin, where the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats provided comfort with heating, ventilation, and massage features. However, the multitude of adjustments proved challenging to perfect. The Navigator's storage solutions were ample, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. For those needing extra cargo space, the extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more room behind the third row.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna impressed with its practical interior design, featuring a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs offered up to 40 inches of legroom and included an ottoman for added comfort. However, the inability to remove the second-row seats limited maximum cargo space. The third row provided ample legroom and reclining seats, while the rear liftgate revealed 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 101 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Sienna's tri-zone climate control and additional zone for the front passenger ensured a comfortable environment for all occupants.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The Navigator's digital assistant performed exceptionally well, understanding and responding to commands accurately. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided an immersive audio experience, while the Lincoln Way app and Phone As A Key technology added convenience.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, equipped with Toyota's older infotainment technology, featured a nine-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna offered a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 12-speaker JBL stereo system. USB ports were plentiful, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt outlet was available for the second row and rear cargo area. Optional features included an 11.6-inch rear-seat entertainment system and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, road sign recognition, and full-speed adaptive cruise control. While most systems performed well, the lane-keeping assist exhibited some side-to-side movement. The Sienna was equipped with numerous airbags and reminders for rear passengers and cargo. The NHTSA awarded the Sienna four out of five stars for frontal crash and rollover protection and five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS rated the Sienna "Good" in crashworthiness and "Average" in front crash prevention.