2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a bold grille and sleek headlights that made it stand out in its segment. The large logo on the grille, although oversized, complemented the overall design. The RDX's exterior was characterized by a swooping upper character line and a distinctive spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the RDX boasted a sharp and precise cabin design with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a striking red-and-black contrast. The RDX came well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. Various packages offered additional features, with the A-Spec package adding sporty elements and the Advance Package providing luxury touches.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator embraced a unique design language, drawing inspiration from the Navigator. Its sharp lines and chrome accents gave it a sophisticated look. Inside, the Aviator's cabin exuded comfort and warmth, with soft-touch materials and a well-integrated 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter added a touch of elegance, and the soothing chimes contributed to the luxurious feel. The Aviator offered various trims, with the Grand Touring trim featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain and luxurious amenities like massaging seats. The Black Label trim added premium features, making the Aviator a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of style and comfort.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, enhancing its versatility. Despite its sporty performance, the RDX maintained good fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims offered a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," catering to different driving preferences. While the Aviator excelled on highways, it faced challenges in city driving due to its size and weight.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. It provided ample head- and legroom in both the front and second rows. The RDX featured convenient storage solutions, including large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray. With 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, the RDX offered generous cargo capacity for its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator's second row, especially with captain's chairs, provided a luxurious experience with a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio settings. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system, despite its vivid widescreen display, was hindered by the True Touchpad Interface. This touchpad system lacked the intuitive scrolling found in competitors, making it cumbersome to use. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The Technology Package added navigation and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec offered the ELS Studio 3D sound system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the user-friendly Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen provided a natural viewing experience. The Aviator came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy experience.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, LATCH systems, and a rear-view camera. It also offered driver-assistance features like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator boasted a robust safety package with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, securing a Top Safety Pick accolade.