2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD, priced at $45,341, presented a surprising blend of rugged styling and upscale features, though its cost seemed steep for a RAV4. Despite its fully loaded status, the vehicle's appearance did not immediately distinguish it from a standard rental car model. The RAV4 Hybrid's design was tough for a compact SUV, but it could have benefited from larger alloy wheels and a Trail trim level, similar to its non-hybrid counterpart. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid offered a mix of stylish and practical elements, though the quality varied, with some impressive materials offset by hard plastics. A minor rattle from the license plate was noted during the test drive.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt diminished its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, enhanced by the new Constellation display theme. The SUV's updates, including a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with the Sync 4 infotainment system, contributed to a successful refresh, maintaining its luxurious appeal.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. This setup provided a standard AWD drivetrain, with the rear motor contributing to the system. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV, with a fuel efficiency rating of 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The SUV's CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. However, the four-cylinder engine's sound was less pleasant when revving, and the tires offered limited grip during spirited driving.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD in Canada, provided a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, enhanced ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The SUV's electronic brake booster improved brake response, and its performance in snow and mud was commendable, thanks to its 24.5 centimetres of ground clearance and appropriate driving modes. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test drive averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a comfortable interior with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom and reclining backrests, though the seat height was slightly low. The dashboard layout was intuitive, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. The RAV4 Hybrid provided 1,059 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massage options, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator's cargo capacity was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,925 litres with the second and third rows folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space, with up to 3,403 litres of cargo volume.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured an infotainment system with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen included SiriusXM satellite radio and various connectivity features. The test vehicle's 11-speaker JBL audio system provided satisfactory sound quality, and the infotainment interface was user-friendly. Camera-based technology, such as a 360-degree surround-view camera system, was available as an upgrade.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with a user-friendly interface similar to modern smartphones. The Navigator's voice recognition system was effective, though not flawless, and the rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV for streaming content. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The system generally performed well, though lane-tracing and adaptive cruise control could be finicky in certain conditions. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance features, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The latter provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. While ActiveGlide performed well, it required driver attention and intervention in certain situations. These systems represented incremental steps toward fully autonomous driving, emphasizing the importance of driver responsibility.