2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, Infiniti offered the QX80 in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern details such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting with auto-leveling functionality. The upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The center stack prominently displayed piano-black plastic, which was prone to fingerprints.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, showcased Lincoln's successful design language with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen dominating the dash. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash added a unique touch, and the soothing chimes for alerts contributed to the luxurious feel. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each adding more features and luxury.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its heavy build, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD model dropped to 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its steering systems varied by trim. The SUV's Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a relatively smooth ride and an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims added a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of electric-only range. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique names like "Excite" and "Conserve," and the hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration. However, the Aviator's long wheelbase made it awkward to maneuver in tight spaces, and there was noticeable body roll in corners.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, making it suitable for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats came in various upholsteries, and the driver’s seat featured a 10-way power adjustment. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 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 trim, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a unique feature, though their functionality in a dead battery scenario was questionable.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and had a sensible menu layout. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons that utilized the entire screen. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had a moderate risk of rollover according to the NHTSA.

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