2020 Audi Q7 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, a Prestige trim, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7’s appearance. The test vehicle’s 20-inch turbine-style wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires added a practical touch.

Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The Virtual Cockpit panel offered various themes and configurations, while two touch-sensing screens on the center console handled infotainment functions. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe. The Prestige’s standard multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance at night.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator carried over the sharp design language from the big-dog Navigator, featuring crisp lines and chrome accents. The Aviator’s cabin was defined by comfort and warmth, with plenty of soft-touch materials and a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen dominating the dash. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash was sensibly laid out, contributing to the Aviator’s air of class and luxury.

Trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim featured synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve trim added upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system. The Grand Touring trim, driven for this evaluation, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and the Elements Package Plus, which included heated and ventilated front seats and Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function. The rear seat area included multiple USB ports, power outlets, and a digital panel for rear settings. The Black Label trims added further luxury features, including a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system and a Dynamic Handling Package.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system to conserve fuel, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi Drive Select offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The Q7 55 TFSI could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 21 mpg on a road trip.

The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, with Audi Drive Select adjusting firmness settings. The Q7 proved agile in town, athletic on winding roads, and planted on freeways. The cabin was notably quiet, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass. Overall, the Q7 offered responsive acceleration, significant towing capacity, decent off-roading capability, and good fuel economy.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator’s Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims added a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of pure electric range.

The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator’s heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered modes like “Excite” and “Conserve,” with the Aviator excelling on highways and cul-de-sacs but struggling in city driving.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, and cargo space was limited with the third row in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7’s front and second-row seats were comfortable, with the Prestige trim’s standard features ensuring a pleasant experience. However, practical interior storage was lacking, with limited space in the center console and door-panel bins.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The use of power-button door releases was a potential functional issue, raising concerns about battery failure.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an 8.6-inch touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services. The user interface was generally intuitive, though dry fingertips sometimes made virtual buttons unresponsive. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system replacing the Bose components for 2021.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape format for a natural layout. The system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls in the center stack. The Aviator came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented well on the screen. The test model included an optional head-up display with large, crisp graphics.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, rated "poor" by the IIHS for excessive glare but providing excellent illumination. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology and Active Lane Assist proved problematic. The Q7 received the highest IIHS ratings, except for the headlight assessment.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Grand Touring test model included the Co-Pilot 360 Plus package, adding reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.