2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

For many shoppers, the traditional minivan look was often a hard sell. The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to change that perception by swapping the classic minivan aesthetic for something more modern and sleek. Toyota put clear effort into evolving the Sienna's design, making it look less like a quintessential family hauler and more like a sophisticated transport vehicle. One notable feature was the front-end styling, which took inspiration from Japanese bullet trains. Most trims featured 18-inch wheels, but the FWD versions of the XSE and Platinum trim levels boasted 20-inch wheels, adding to the vehicle's modern look.

The Sienna offered a variety of trim levels ranging from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum. There was also a 25th Anniversary Special Edition positioned just below the Limited trim. Value-conscious shoppers were likely to be drawn to the XLE trim, which added standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate—features particularly useful for families.

Inside, the Sienna dazzled with high-quality materials. A Platinum trim test car featured brown leather upholstery and beautiful wood-grain accents on the center console, making it feel upscale. The interior could seat either seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, with the LE and XLE trims offering eight seats. Its practical design facilitated the installation of three car seats across the middle row in the eight-seater models, thanks to LATCH anchors.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator stayed true to its luxurious full-size SUV persona. Its design remained largely unchanged since its last refresh in 2022, but the vehicle still exuded elegance. The triple-black Navigator Reserve test model featured a Monochromatic Package that included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, making it look sophisticated and grand.

Inside, the Navigator had an all-black interior, save for chrome accents and real wood trim panels. The cabin felt upscale, though some of the plastic switchgear didn’t quite convey the luxury level one might expect. Ambient lighting added contrast and character at night, enhancing the vehicle's premium feel. An optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system catered to the tech-savvy but proved less engaging than expected for teenage passengers preferring their smartphones.

Toyota made a bold move by fitting every 2023 Sienna model with a hybrid powertrain, introduced in its fourth-generation model in 2020. This consisted of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors—and a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims—delivering a combined 245 horsepower. Although this was less powerful compared to competitors, the Sienna offered a nimble chassis and light steering, making it surprisingly enjoyable to drive in city conditions. The CVT wasn't the most melodious powertrain, and acceleration felt slightly underwhelming. Toyota provided drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but generally, keeping the Sienna in Normal mode was most effective.

On the other hand, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator brought raw power to the table with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing a hefty 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. In Normal mode, the Navigator didn't quite deliver a plush ride due to the unsprung weight from its 22-inch wheels and lower profile tires, feeling more like a truck over bumps. Switching to Excite mode improved the ride significantly, but the Navigator’s fuel efficiency dropped. During the test, the vehicle averaged 15.6 mpg, somewhat lower than the EPA rating of 18 mpg in combined driving. Over twisting roads, the Navigator felt slightly more agile than anticipated, but its nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes, resulting in a less engaging drive experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna remained true to minivans’ reputation for being storage champions. With plenty of cubbies, shelves, and cupholders, the Sienna accommodated the needs of every family member. Measuring over 200 inches in length, it used its space efficiently, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seats down, and topping out at 101 cubic feet. However, the middle-row seats couldn’t be removed like in some competitors, affecting the total cargo space flexibility.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator showcased its prowess in full-size SUV functionality. With power-deploying running boards and expansive seating, the Navigator excelled in utility and comfort. It featured seats that adjusted in 30 ways in the front row, and spacious captain’s chairs in the second row allowed easy access to a genuinely roomy third row. Storage was plentiful throughout the cabin, and the model offered ample cargo space: 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (extended to 34.3 cubic feet in the Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row (73.3 cubic feet in the Navigator L), and up to 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats (120.2 cubic feet in the Navigator L).

Technologically, the 2023 Toyota Sienna fell a bit short compared to newer models like the Tundra and Sequoia, relying on older infotainment systems. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but required wired connections. The 9-inch touchscreen sufficed, though the user interface felt outdated and somewhat clunky. Despite these limitations, the 12-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, embraced modernity while maintaining an understated luxury approach. Its technology suite included a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the Sync 4 infotainment system, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lincoln’s digital assistant performed excellently, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System filled the cabin with rich sound. However, the wireless smartphone charger heated devices excessively, undermining its utility slightly.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in safety, featuring a thorough suite of standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS for the 2022 model.

Similarly, the Lincoln Navigator came packed with advanced safety features, bundled under Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Noteworthy features included Evasive Steering Assist and Intersection Assist. BlueCruise offered hands-free driving assistance on designated highways, though it had limitations and required driver intervention in certain scenarios. NHTSA ratings were incomplete but included a 5-star side-impact and 4-star rollover resistance rating.