2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Jeep Compass

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 SUV featured a unified design across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. The Aviator's tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork, exuding a sense of Golden Age luxury without overdoing it. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The Aviator also included luxurious touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass reflected the more refined side of the Jeep brand, akin to the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while the High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited with all-wheel drive was priced from $32,645. Our test vehicle, a Compass Limited with AWD and numerous options, totaled $39,755. Despite some cost-cutting measures, the Compass offered appealing upgrades like soft-touch surfaces, premium leather, and sophisticated technology, making it a significant improvement over its predecessor.

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 or all-wheel drive, 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, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned, offering a refined driving experience.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. However, it was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system affected air conditioning performance. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. The steering was heavy and vague, and the brake pedal was sensitive. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim, with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

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. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space. However, some controls, like the seats and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort, but the door-release function was confusing, raising concerns about manual release in emergencies.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, with the new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, offered premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, beating both the Jeep Renegade and Cherokee in volume. However, scant storage room inside the cabin and awkwardly positioned cupholders could cause aggravation.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compared to the Ford Explorer's portrait layout. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. The system was intuitive and featured appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus. The voice recognition system worked well with naturally spoken requests, and drivers could adjust the stereo and climate controls using voice commands. Overall, Uconnect impressed for the segment.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with standard safety features, including 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 Jeep Compass extended the availability of its driving assistance and collision avoidance technology to the base Sport trim level. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but received mixed ratings from NHTSA.