2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. This shift signaled a departure from merely copying imports. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The cabin's plush leather extended even to areas where it wasn't necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier, priced at $40,040 with options, benefitted from a clean design that avoided overt SUV styling cues. It looked especially good on 19-inch wheels that came with the turbocharged engine. The Premier trim included roof rails and extra chrome detailing, signaling its top-tier status. Inside, the Equinox Premier featured a high-contrast cabin with Jet Black and Brandy leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and polished metallic accents. However, the presence of hard and shiny plastic detracted from the upscale feel. The Equinox's cabin, while visually appealing, did not match the luxury of the Aviator's interior.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring trim combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering RWD or AWD, and the PHEV being AWD. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The Excite drive mode offered a more dynamic experience, but the Aviator's 5,600-pound weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, 20. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The AWD version averaged 24.3 mpg, below the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. The optional 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine delivered 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided lively acceleration and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The AWD version averaged 22.1 mpg, below the EPA's 24 mpg combined rating. Both versions had firm, connected ride qualities, but suffered from road and wind noise. The Premier's 19-inch wheels and 235/50 tires made it feel more athletic on winding roads, with well-controlled body motions and natural steering and braking response.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but best suited for kids on longer trips. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with seat controls split between a door-mounted panel and the center touchscreen. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be problematic in certain situations.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LS had cloth upholstery with a 10-way power driver's seat, while the Premier trim featured leather, an 8-way power front passenger's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Both trims were comfortable, though the seats could benefit from more thigh support. The Equinox's sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, with generous legroom in the rearmost position. The Premier trim included rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Equinox also offered plenty of storage in the cabin, with a large center console storage bin and various bins, trays, and cubbies throughout.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Ford Explorer's portrait layout, the Aviator's screen used a conventional landscape layout, providing a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays. All systems included Bluetooth pairing for two devices, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Equinox LS had the most basic setup, which worked well for navigation and audio. The Premier trim had all the bells and whistles, with the larger high-definition touchscreen and Bose sound system. The Equinox also offered wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox featured Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, a Safety Alert Seat, and high-definition reversing and surround-view cameras. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe SUV. However, Chevy needed to make the blind-spot warning system more accessible, which it planned to do for 2022.