2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Corsair), marked a return to real vehicle names, moving away from Lincoln's old alphabet-soup naming convention. This shift was a positive sign, indicating Lincoln's effort to establish a unique identity rather than mimicking imports. The Aviator featured a unified design language 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, exuding a sense of Golden Age luxury without overdoing it. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The cabin was plush, with leather extending to areas where it wasn't necessarily needed, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Notable touches included a massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, highlighting Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV, aside from a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate, was indistinguishable from other versions of the SUV. Land Rover integrated the charging port with the grille, maintaining the vehicle's design integrity. The Range Rover Sport PHEV started at $79,000, including HSE trim, with options pushing the price to $93,200. The test vehicle featured Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its presence. Inside, quality materials were evident, reflecting the vehicle's price. However, the infotainment system proved complex and occasionally frustrating, with unexpected behavior and a lack of haptic feedback. Despite these issues, the Range Rover Sport PHEV offered a luxurious and comfortable interior, with heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and 4-zone automatic climate control.

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. 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. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator with RWD was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Land Rover claimed a 31-mile all-electric driving range, but the test vehicle struggled to achieve this. The PHEV defaulted to a gas-electric hybrid mode, with an EV mode button for pure electric driving. However, the gas engine often engaged unexpectedly, and the drivetrain sometimes seemed confused. The test vehicle averaged 41.9 mpg over a 28.4-mile EV range and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration, adaptive air suspension, and various driving modes, providing an athletic yet comfortable driving experience. The regenerative brakes were effective but grabby, making smooth stops challenging. The PHEV retained the standard model's off-roading capability, with an 8-speed automatic transmission, permanent 4-wheel drive, and multiple traction settings.

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. However, the Aviator's seat and door handle controls were overly complicated, with a door-release button that could be confusing for passengers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV suffered from a shortage of cargo space due to the battery beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the standard version's 27.5-cubic-foot space. The cargo area was prone to items falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably accommodated five people, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle included 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the interior experience. However, practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, providing a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating, with unexpected behavior and a lack of haptic feedback. Despite spending time setting up the system, accessing specific features or functions could be challenging. The Range Rover Sport PHEV's technology required patience and familiarity, making it less suitable for technophobes.

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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV included advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and an optional Driver Assist Package with a new steering-assist system. However, the steering-assist and lane-keeping assist systems could be abrupt and distracting. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Range Rover Sport PHEV's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.