2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Ford Explorer boasted an exterior design that successfully refined its upscale and utilitarian aesthetic. Its silhouette was more streamlined, with reduced bulk particularly at the rear, making this three-row SUV appear both lower and more athletic. The wider headlights, oversized grille, and the prominent “Explorer” badge in italics on the hood contributed to a bold, identifiable front end. While the tiny taillights could have been reimagined, the Explorer’s overall proportions were lauded as almost textbook-perfect. Even a glance at previous models, which continued to sell well a decade after release, demonstrated Ford's clever evolutionary approach rather than a revolutionary redesign. The Explorer ST I tested turned heads with its 21-inch black rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, and quad exhaust pipes, all accentuated by Rapid Red paint that truly made the vehicle stand out.

The interior, however, was disappointing, particularly in a vehicle with a price exceeding $60,000. Materials were less than upscale, with many reviewers likening the feel of the leather to vinyl and comparing door and dashboard plastics to municipal garbage cans. Despite a padded top dash, the rest of the interior fell flat, feeling both cheap and uninspired. White stitching and aluminum speaker covers attempted vainly to break up the monotony.

Contrastingly, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator stood out distinctly within Lincoln's lineup, below the Navigator but above the compact MKC and Corsair. The Aviator showcased Lincoln’s unified design ethos, marked by elegant headlights and a stately chrome grille. Its roofline tapered gently, imparting an elongated look and a low, wide beltline that some said echoed a ship’s sleekness.

Inside, the Aviator exuded luxury. The flowing design, soft-touch materials, and tastefully applied brightwork created a rich ambiance. The seats appeared exquisitely crafted, combining elegance with robustness, and the piano-key style shifter buttons added a retro-chic touch. Comfort was paramount, with the seats generously upholstered in plush leather extending even to the typically overlooked sides of the center console. The massive panoramic moonroof and whimsical, symphonic warning chimes—composed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra—underscored Lincoln’s dedication to offering a holistic luxury experience.

Five trims were available, each equipped generously and culminating in the Black Label Grand Touring, which epitomized luxury.

The 2020 Ford Explorer’s RWD chassis provided a substantial performance edge over its predecessors, offering a more balanced weight distribution encapsulated in its ST trim’s superior handling. The ST’s sport-tuned suspension and steering, crafted by Ford Performance, delivered agile handling and remarkable flat cornering. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 churned out 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite minor downshifting jerks, the powertrain was smooth and potent, capable of swift acceleration, particularly in Sport mode. The ST wasn’t just competing with non-luxury SUVs; its combination of power and refinement left competitors trailing.

Other trims received different powertrains. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four produced a sufficient 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, while a hybrid variant with a 3.3-liter V6 generated 318 hp but came with a hefty upcharge and marginal fuel-efficiency gains. The hybrid model achieved 23 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with AWD. Non-hybrid Explorers were more reasonable, with the turbo V6 in ST and Platinum trims rated at 18 mpg city and 24 highway. Towing ranged from 5,000 pounds for the hybrid to 5,600 pounds for the V6 model, with multiple drive modes optimizing performance across various terrains.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator also came standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, providing a robust 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The exceptional Grand Touring trim combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor for a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, using a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains accomplished 0-60 mph in around 4 seconds, favoring a balanced mixture of dynamic and refined performance.

The hybrid Aviator showcased hushed, smooth acceleration and impeccable fuel economy for the class with a combined rating of 23 mpg and an electric-only range of 21 miles. The Aviator prioritized a refined, cushioned ride, favoring comfort over performance. Even its “Excite” drive mode, meant to simulate a sportier experience, couldn't entirely overcome its considerable 5,600-pound heft.

Fuel economy figures for the non-hybrid Aviator were comparable with 18 mpg city and 26 highway for RWD, slightly falling to 17 mpg city and 24 highway for AWD.

The interior space of the 2020 Ford Explorer was commendable. For a Christmas trip to Maine, my family found ample room, with enough storage for extensive camera gear behind the second row. The second row resembled first class, replete with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row had notably improved, accommodating six-foot passengers comfortably for shorter durations. However, the flat bench didn’t support long-distance travel well. Enhanced human space came at the cost of reduced cargo capacity, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row down from the previous model’s 21. Still, with 48 cubic feet behind the second row and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, the new Explorer boasted one of the largest cargo holds in its segment.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, on par with the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator’s optional second-row captain’s chairs were superior in comfort. The third row, although powered, was more suitable for children on longer trips.

However, Lincoln’s penchant for replacing conventional controls with unique alternatives was a double-edged sword. While the 30-way massaging seats provided exceptional comfort, controlling them required navigating through a touchscreen menu, adding a layer of complexity. Furthermore, passengers struggled with the unconventional door releases, which felt needlessly complex and raised concerns about functionality during emergencies where electricity might fail.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Navigational tools complemented these features in all trims except the base XLT, and keyless entry, remote start, and three-zone climate control were also standard. Ford’s time-tested keyless entry keypad remained a unique touch. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster via the Premium Technology Package. This larger display made map navigation easier and the interface was generally user-friendly. However, customization options were limited, and the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system left room for improvement.

On the other hand, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator’s Sync 3 system utilized a more conventional landscape-oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen, optimizing the interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This setup provided larger icons and easier readability. The Aviator was also equipped with a fully digital instrument panel and a sizable head-up display, presenting essential information in a minimalist yet efficient format.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The optional Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, although the latter sometimes triggered incorrectly. While NHTSA had not tested the 2020 Explorer, the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver’s side, which was less than ideal for a brand-new vehicle.

Safety in the 2020 Lincoln Aviator was underscored by Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Enhanced safety features further encompassed blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.