Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator presented a more refined aesthetic, moving away from its previous flashy design to embrace a subtler elegance. The SUV maintained its sparkle but in a more sophisticated manner, especially with the Jet Appearance or Black Label Special Edition package, which featured blacked-out wheels and details. The illuminated star logo on the grille and the front and rear light bars were standout features. The Navigator's exterior was simpler and cleaner, with new 24-inch wheel designs and a striking Sunrise Copper paint option exclusive to Black Label models. Inside, the Navigator adopted a minimalist cabin design, enhancing the perception of quality despite some ergonomic challenges. The 48-inch panoramic display and Revel speaker grilles added to the interior's allure, though some materials, particularly in the rear, fell short of expectations.

The 2026 Toyota bZ underwent a significant transformation, offering a more appealing design compared to its predecessor. The restyled bZ looked better with body-color trim, although some colors retained the black overfender trim. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner appearance, improving the sense of quality and organization. The XLE's fabric seats featured an upscale pattern, and the center touchscreen grew to 14 inches, integrating climate control functions. Despite the digital driver display's placement issues, the bZ's interior was generally user-friendly. The bZ's exterior and interior updates contributed to a more attractive and functional vehicle, appealing to those seeking a modern electric vehicle.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. The Navigator's 4WD system and 8.9 inches of ground clearance made it versatile for various terrains. During testing near San Diego, the Navigator achieved an observed fuel economy of 20.3 mpg, surpassing the EPA rating of 17 mpg. Despite its weight, the Navigator accelerated swiftly, with driving modes like Excite enhancing responsiveness. However, the 24-inch wheels contributed to a rough ride, and the steering wheel's design was not ideal for such a large SUV. On mountain roads, the Navigator demonstrated good grip and braking performance, while its maneuverability and comfort shone on highways.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery pack in the XLE FWD, producing 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models delivered 338 hp, with varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter for versatile charging options. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the bZ averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. While the bZ excelled as a comfortable and quiet cruiser, its handling on winding roads was less impressive due to the tires and steering. The bZ's performance was suitable for city driving and commuting, but it lacked the robustness for more spirited driving.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator excelled in providing ample interior space and luxury, though taller passengers found the rear seats less accommodating. The Navigator featured Perfect Position seats with up to 24-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated, with massage functionality in the Black Label trim. The Lincoln Rejuvenate system offered stress-relief programs, enhancing comfort. Second-row captain's chairs and a dual-touchscreen entertainment system added to the luxury, though knee room was limited due to thick front seats. The Navigator's cargo area was versatile, with a new Split Gate tailgate design and a cargo management system. The standard-length Navigator offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding significantly in the Navigator L model.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, provided easy access with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, with heated and ventilated options in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage solutions, including a large bin under the center armrest and dual wireless smartphone chargers. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ's cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear liftgate, with an underfloor storage well for additional room. Folding the back seats expanded the cargo area to 56.9 cubic feet, though the rear window's angle limited maximum space.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Lincoln Digital Experience infotainment system, featuring a 48-inch panoramic display and an 11.1-inch center touchscreen. The system integrated Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, offering an intuitive interface. However, some controls, like air vent adjustments, required navigating the touchscreen, which could be distracting. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided an excellent listening experience. Additional tech included Phone As A Key, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and various trailering technologies. The Navigator lacked a head-up display and digital rearview mirror, which could be beneficial for visibility.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came equipped with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect powered the navigation system and Intelligent Assistant, which responded well to voice commands. The bZ's technology offerings were comprehensive, though some interface improvements could enhance usability.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator boasted an extensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Unique features like intersection assist and evasive steering assist added to its safety credentials. BlueCruise provided hands-free driving on approved roads, with the latest version offering improved functionality. However, the Navigator had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) as standard, with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and other essential safety features. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs for enhanced safety. The Limited trim included Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ's adaptive cruise control showed inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.