2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's range, with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance, reminiscent of a boat. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats. The shifter buttons had a piano-key design, hinting at a luxurious past without overwhelming the overall design. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the cabin, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles added to its appeal. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing ample features, while the Grand Touring and Black Label trims added luxury and hybrid options.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced as part of a mid-cycle refresh, was visually and dimensionally identical to its gasoline counterpart. It featured subtle differences, such as blue-outlined Honda emblems and "Hybrid" badges. The hybrid model included a push-button gear selector and paddle shifters for brake regeneration. The instrument panel displayed driving modes like Normal, EV, Econ, and Sport. The CR-V Hybrid's exterior changes were minimal, with a hidden exhaust and LED fog lights on higher trims. Inside, the cabin retained the same layout as the gasoline model, with a 7-inch infotainment screen and steering-wheel-mounted functions. The hybrid's driving experience was enhanced by its two-motor system, offering 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg city, 35 highway, and 38 combined, though it ranked third among hybrid competitors. The CR-V Hybrid provided a comfortable ride with good steering feel and on-demand torque, making it more enjoyable to drive than the gasoline version.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family used in the Explorer, Expedition, and Ford F-150. The Grand Touring trim took performance further by combining the V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized 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. The Aviator's acceleration was impressive, achieving 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's electric power smoothed out the driving experience, especially at low speeds. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes provided cushioned feedback. The vehicle featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, though its 5,600-pound weight limited its agility. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17/24/20. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. It combined a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric generator/starter motor and a propulsion motor, eliminating the need for a conventional transmission. The CR-V Hybrid's total system power was 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, compared to the gasoline model's 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg city, 35 highway, and 38 combined, significantly better than the gasoline model's 27/32/29. However, it ranked third among hybrid competitors, with the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offering better fuel efficiency. During testing, the CR-V Hybrid achieved nearly 41 mpg in city driving. The hybrid's EV mode allowed for electric-only operation for up to a mile, though it frequently switched out of EV mode. The CR-V Hybrid's ride comfort and handling were commendable, with good steering feel and on-demand torque making it more enjoyable to drive than the gasoline version.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was suitable for adults on short trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, the Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments. The 30-way seats included a massage function, but their controls were complex, requiring interaction with the center touchscreen. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button on the back of the handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, sharing the same dimensions as its gasoline counterpart, compromised on cargo capacity due to the battery pack beneath the cargo floor. It offered 33.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the non-hybrid's 39.2 and 75.8 cubic feet. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid provided more cargo volume than the Ford Escape Hybrid, though the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered more space with the rear seats up. The CR-V Hybrid featured a low cargo floor for easy loading and unloading, along with a class-competitive 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It excelled in passenger comfort, offering more overall space than its direct competitors, with superior front headroom and rear legroom. The configurable center console bin added versatility, though the armrest's adjustability was too loose, causing it to slide unexpectedly.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup allowed for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, displaying them across the entire screen with large icons and readouts. The Aviator also boasted a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, providing essential information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Pandora compatibility, and a single USB connector. Higher trims, starting with the EX, offered a 7-inch touchscreen display, Honda Link, smartphone integration, SiriusXM and HD radio, and additional USB ports. The top-tier Touring trim included navigation, wireless device charging, and a premium audio system. However, the CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system had its drawbacks, such as the lack of haptic feedback and complicated procedures for adjusting settings. The instrument panel provided useful information but required navigating through various menus, which could be distracting while driving.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a 5-Star Safety Rating from the NHTSA. It featured Honda Sensing as standard, which included automatic braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle rearview camera. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting with the EX trim.