2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was unmistakable on the road, especially with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. The exposed hinges and bolts gave it an industrial look, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, despite ergonomic shortcomings. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara with body-color fender flares and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Rubicon stood out with its taller ride height and off-road suspension. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique features and aesthetics.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, avoided emulating its rivals' styles and instead adopted the sharp, chrome-accented design language of the Navigator. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself with comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to its luxurious feel. Trims ranged from the Standard with synthetic leather upholstery to the Grand Touring with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and massaging front seats. The Black Label trims added even more luxury with features like a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provided 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel delivered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. However, the Wrangler's on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 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 configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain offered brisk acceleration and up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The Aviator excelled on highways but struggled with body roll in corners and tight spaces. Drive modes like "Excite" and "Conserve" added to its versatility.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door model offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat. The Wrangler's removable doors, foldable windshield, and various roof options, including a retractable soft top and a three-piece hardtop, added to its versatility. However, it sacrificed comfort and cargo space compared to less-capable SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable 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 exceptional comfort and features like a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The power-button door releases were a unique but potentially problematic feature.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available on higher trims, along with an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy interior. The Aviator's infotainment system was well-integrated, with large icons and a sensible menu layout.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler included standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning.

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 safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.