2020 Honda Passport vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair, in the Lincoln lineup. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated look, and the low, wide beltline provided 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, and the shifter buttons had a piano-key design. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. The Aviator also featured a massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The 2020 Honda Passport followed the Honda playbook closely, offering a practical and rugged design. The exterior resembled a pared-down Honda Pilot but with a more athletic and rugged appearance. The Passport came in four trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The Elite trim was loaded with features, including a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, black-rimmed LED headlights, chrome exhaust finishers, and gloss-black trim. The Passport had more ground clearance than the Pilot, making it suitable for off-road adventures. Inside, the Passport featured a mix of hard-wearing and soft-touch materials, with perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats. The design emphasized spaciousness and comfort, with ample knee and legroom for all passengers.

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 and confident acceleration, with the electric power smoothing out the driving experience at low speeds. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned in their feedback. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg rating, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine provided sufficient power for various driving situations but had average fuel economy. The FWD Passport achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the AWD version achieved 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The large 19.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 400 miles of range. The Passport performed well in various driving conditions, including climbing over 9,000 feet in elevation and navigating tightly-wound roads. The AWD system provided a planted feel on the road and offered Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with the available towing package, outperforming its chief rivals.

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 featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat controls, which required some learning. The door-release function was particularly tricky, with a button on the back of the handle instead of a conventional handle. The manual door release worked only for the driver's door, raising concerns about accessibility in emergencies.

The 2020 Honda Passport was practical and right-sized, offering good visibility and spacious seats for four adults. The Passport did not have a third-row option but featured height-adjustable seatbelts for front-row occupants and three full LATCH connections in the second row. The seats were comfortable, similar to those in the Honda Pilot and Odyssey, with ample knee and legroom. The Passport offered tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades, enhancing comfort for backseat occupants. The SUV provided 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the most under-floor storage in its class, and a power liftgate. The Passport excelled in small-item storage, with a large center console and secondary shelf space on the interior of the front doors. The interior featured easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces and piano black trim pieces that could be wiped fresh with a microfiber cloth.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The 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 Honda Passport's base Sport model came with a 5.0-inch display monitor, while the EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system touchscreen. The larger screen supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and had pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Other standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, a seven-speaker audio system, push-button start, and keyless entry. Higher trim levels offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Passport's dashboard design was a bit outdated but functional.

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 Honda Passport prioritized safety, achieving good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA and being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Honda Sensing suite included Collision Mitigation Braking System with forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Passport also had a standard rearview camera with a birds-eye view. Higher trim levels offered dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection.