2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its design was more curvaceous than its predecessor, which came at the cost of some practicality, yet it remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, maintaining a balance between futuristic design and user-friendly controls. The various trims, from the base S to the top-tier Titanium, offered a range of features, with the SE trim being particularly recommended for its value, including an 8-inch Sync 3 screen and heated front seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a distinct design language, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. It carried the sharp, chrome-accented styling of the Navigator, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself with a warm, comfortable cabin filled with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to its luxurious feel. The Aviator's trims, from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, offered a range of features, with the Grand Touring trim providing a plug-in hybrid powertrain and massaging Multi-Contour Seats. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel in the Grand Touring model enhanced passenger comfort, although the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid options included a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack, making 198 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid variant. The Escape's conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employed a CVT. The Escape's steering was direct and taut, offering an athletic feel, with the most efficient version being the non-Sport hybrid, achieving 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came 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 setup, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its highway and suburban driving capabilities. However, its long wheelbase and noticeable body roll in corners made it less agile in city driving.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleeker design resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the backseat folded, less than its predecessor and some rivals. However, it prioritized passenger space, providing ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers, along with practical storage solutions like deep water-bottle holders and multiple compartments.

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 in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The power-button door releases, however, posed potential functional issues if the battery died.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, while the SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator's fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided crisp graphics and easy-to-read information, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It received a "Good" rating from the IIHS in all phases of testing.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, with 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 earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.