2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold new design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its revamped exterior featured a more pronounced presence compared to its predecessor, with a traditional grille and front bumper that distinguished it from the Tundra's unique styling. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet luxurious feel, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior boasted a large 14-inch infotainment system and a two-tone color scheme, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck roots. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille reminiscent of an Audi, which some felt diminished its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, with the interior continuing to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing the Navigator's technological appeal. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with prices starting at $78,405 for the base model and reaching $106,530 for the Black Label trim.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing and payload capacities compared to the previous model. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating increased to 9,520 pounds, and it offered better fuel efficiency, achieving up to 22 mpg with RWD. The SUV's adaptive rear air suspension and various driving modes allowed for customizable ride and handling characteristics, though the steering was noted to be slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, now with Road Preview, provided a smooth ride by adjusting to road conditions in advance. The SUV's new electronic brake booster improved pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator demonstrated impressive performance, effortlessly handling various driving conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the interior space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, resulting in reduced cargo capacity compared to the previous model. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof, and the cargo area was smaller than its competitors, with a maximum capacity of 86.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to provide exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats and newly massaging second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more room. The standard model had a maximum cargo capacity of 103.3 cubic feet, while the long-wheelbase version offered 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch display on higher trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though glare on the screen was an issue. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, but some functions required manual input. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system allowed for extensive customization and saved user profiles. The Navigator's voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The latter was a semi-autonomous, hands-free driving technology for approved highways. The Navigator's safety features aimed to enhance driver confidence, though the technology required constant attention and monitoring. The SUV's surround-view camera system and other safety features contributed to a comprehensive safety package.