2020 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its more upscale sibling. The Acadia Denali trim, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a window sticker price of $52,385. The 2020 model featured a redesigned front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, giving it a more upscale appearance. Inside, changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. The cabin mixed soft surfaces with hard plastic panels, and while controls were logically laid out, the interior lacked distinctive premium touches beyond leather upholstery and wood trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, avoided emulating its rivals' styles and instead adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator. The Aviator's sharp lines and chrome accents made it stand out, and its interior was defined by comfort and warmth, with plenty of soft-touch materials and a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash was a unique feature, and the Aviator's various soothing chimes added to its luxurious feel. Trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, with each level adding more features and luxury. The Grand Touring trim, which we tested, included a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Lincoln’s Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function. The rear seat area was well-equipped with USB ports, power outlets, and a digital control panel for rear settings.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a 230-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SLT, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, except for the AT4, which had a standard dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 engine provided smooth, refined power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA rating of 21 mpg. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a balanced driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 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 a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting the Aviator's focus on comfort rather than performance. The Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings but struggled with city driving due to its long wheelbase.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim offering six-passenger seating via second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and equipped with heating and ventilation, making them ideal for long road trips. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated and comfortable, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet for rear passengers. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 41.7 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats down, the Acadia offered 79 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, with power-lift-and-lower functionality to increase capacity to 41.8 cubic feet. With all rear seats folded, the Aviator offered 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. 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 unique feature, though it raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display, simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology that generally performed well. Additional technology upgrades for 2020 included new USB-C ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror that provided an unobstructed wide-angle view.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The screen's landscape format made for a natural layout, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics. The test model's HUD featured multiple muted colors, making it easy on the eyes.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims and as part of optional packages. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests but had incomplete IIHS data.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included 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 both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.