2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the Encore, in nearly every dimension. It was 2.7 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and a wider front and rear track. Buick invested considerable effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, featuring a larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. This gave the Encore GX a more mature and complete appearance compared to the stubby, notchy look of the Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin mirrored the exterior's mature styling. While it initially appeared similar to the smaller Encore, closer inspection revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish. Though not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than the Hyundai Kona. The trim levels—Preferred, Select, and Essence—offered various features, with the Essence trim adding unique chrome bumper accents, leather seating, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The ST package on the Essence trim added sporty design elements, enhancing the vehicle's premium look.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, which carried over from its 2020 model, showcased Lincoln's successful design language, characterized by crisp lines and heavy use of chrome. The Aviator's exterior styling was sharp and distinct, avoiding the temptation to emulate its rivals. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and chrome accents. The center console rose elegantly to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, which dominated the dash.

Lincoln's unique approach extended to the piano button shifter in the middle of the dash, which, despite being less intuitive than a traditional shift lever, was sensibly laid out. The Aviator also featured soothing chimes for alerts, contributing to its air of class and luxury. The trims—Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring—offered various features, with higher trims adding luxury elements like upgraded leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, sent through a CVT to the front wheels. This engine was standard with the all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, which used a nine-speed automatic transmission but reduced torque to 162 lb-ft.

The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it was never brisk. The three-cylinder engine's inherent roughness was noticeable, especially as the nine-speed automatic searched for the most efficient gear. Despite occasional vibrations, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that soaked up bumps nicely. The Encore GX handled confidently at higher speeds, maintaining composure around corners, which was a pleasant surprise given its "near-luxury" label.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims were equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured the same V6 engine in a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain allowed for up to 21 miles of pure electric driving.

The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft was noticeable in corners, resulting in some body roll. The long wheelbase made maneuvering in tight spaces a bit awkward. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting its suitability for highways and cul-de-sacs rather than city driving.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered increased rear seat and cargo space compared to the standard Encore. With the rear seats up, it provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the standard Encore but slightly less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear legroom was also improved, and the rear load floor could be adjusted to open up more space. The front cabin featured a redesigned shifter and cup holders, creating additional trays and cubby space.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding 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 with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, was the most comfortable. The Aviator's power-button door releases, while innovative, raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a responsive layout, crisp graphics, and customizable main menu items. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional features included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display from the dash.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape format of the screen provided a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional HUD with large, crisp graphics.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. The test model also featured a surround-view camera system, providing clear images and helpful angles for parking.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the 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 Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.