2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style that sat comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, setting it apart from the traditional upright Range Rover design. The Velar maintained its SUV identity with a broad front end that appeared intimidating in rearview mirrors, and its short front and rear overhangs improved its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that made occupants feel enveloped rather than perched on top.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a design language that was distinctively its own, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. It carried forward the sharp, crisp lines and chrome accents that defined the Navigator, resulting in a striking appearance. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin that exuded comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a center console that elegantly rose to meet the 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's interior was further enhanced by a piano button shifter and soothing chimes, contributing to its air of luxury. The various trims offered a range of features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to the luxurious 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system in the Black Label Grand Touring trim.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S were quicker. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also boasted off-road capabilities with its Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, although it lacked a low range for more challenging terrains.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The Aviator's hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although its size and weight resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting its 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including its chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area added to the cramped feeling, although the tall center console was easily accessible. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered generous interior space, with 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The Aviator's second row was particularly comfortable, featuring 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, although they raised concerns about functionality if the battery were to die.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system received praise for its high-quality graphics and menu layout but was criticized for slow response times. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was praised for its intuitive layout and ease of use. The Aviator's screen extended from the dash in a landscape format, providing a natural layout. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons that utilized the entire screen. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics and muted colors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. The Velar's safety offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with safety features, including the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which offered 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 received top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.