2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (later replaced by the Corsair) in Lincoln's lineup. It marked a return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated look, while the low, wide beltline added a boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's 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 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, launched in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. The Edge's design gave it the appearance of a crossover version of the Fusion, with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. Inside, the Edge showed signs of its age, with a layout largely unchanged since 2015. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls, and the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue. While the cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features and options.

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 rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. 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, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg rating, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe combined rating.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed to the front wheels or available AWD through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, making it suitable for city driving, but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, absorbing potholes with ease while remaining refined and engaging to drive. The sporty Edge ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic to standard AWD. The ST offered impressive acceleration, heavy steering, and excellent cornering, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and transmission mapping. An optional ST Performance Brake Package included unique wheels, summer performance tires, and upgraded brakes.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row configuration placed it in competition 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 children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with a complex seat-control system and an unconventional door-release function. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn, but the door-release mechanism could be problematic in certain situations.

The 2020 Ford Edge's cabin layout was one of its strongest features, offering a commanding view of the road without being overly upright. The seats were surrounded by numerous cubbies and compartments, making it ideal for commuting or road trips. The second-row head- and legroom were plentiful, ensuring comfort without needing to move the front seats. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-fold rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

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 landscape layout, providing a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display offered a minimalist and unobtrusive way to present information.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons at the bottom for audio, phone, navigation, apps, and settings, and a home button in the upper left corner. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to use their preferred maps app without paying extra for navigation. A voice-activated navigation system with pinch-to-zoom map control was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium. The Edge also came with two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual 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 Ford Edge featured a full array of front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a child seat anchoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.