2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, especially in its Premier trim, presented a clean and appealing design that avoided the typical SUV styling clichés. It featured a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, and a panoramic sunroof, with a price tag of $40,040, including destination charges. However, Chevrolet often included rebates and incentives, reducing the cost significantly. The Equinox Premier stood out with its 19-inch wheels and gray contrast cladding, which added to its visual appeal. Inside, the cabin was outfitted with Jet Black and Brandy leather, a panoramic sunroof, and metallic accents, giving it an upscale look. Despite this, the interior materials, primarily hard and shiny plastics, detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over its design from the previous year, showcased a sharp and distinctive style, heavily influenced by the larger Navigator. It featured crisp lines and chrome accents, which enhanced its luxurious appearance. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a focus on comfort and warmth, using soft-touch materials and a well-designed center console. The cabin was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, piano button shifter, and soothing chimes, contributing to its air of class and luxury. The Aviator offered various trims, each adding more features and luxury, with the Grand Touring trim providing a plug-in hybrid powertrain and additional comfort features like massaging seats.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It provided adequate performance for most drivers, though it fell short of the EPA's fuel economy ratings. The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine significantly improved performance, offering 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine allowed for better acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Both versions of the Equinox had firm ride qualities and suffered from road and wind noise, but the Premier trim with larger wheels felt more athletic and enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard 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 trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with an electric-only range of 21 miles. The Aviator provided smooth and brisk acceleration, though its size and weight resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. It was equipped with a drive mode selector, offering modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," which suited its highway and suburban driving capabilities.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comfortable interior with options for cloth or leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated features. The sliding rear seat allowed for flexible passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom in the rear. However, its cargo volume was less than some competitors, offering 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cabin provided ample storage with various bins and cubbies.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially with captain's chairs, offered excellent comfort and features like a digital control panel. The Aviator's use of power-button door releases was a unique feature, though it raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox featured several infotainment options with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreens, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included upgrades like a high-definition display, navigation, and a Bose sound system. The technology was intuitive and easy to use, with options for wireless charging and rear-seat entertainment.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was user-friendly and featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator's screen layout was more natural compared to its Ford counterpart. It also included a digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display, enhancing the driving experience with clear and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. It also offered a reversing camera, rear-seat reminder, and Teen Driver technology. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.