2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the compact MKC, later replaced by the Corsair. Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names signaled a departure from its previous naming conventions, suggesting a move away from imitating imports. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's lineup, with striking headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost nautical appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at a luxurious past without overcommitting to a retro aesthetic. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the interior, underscoring Lincoln's dedication to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The Aviator's lineup included five trims, starting with the well-equipped Standard trim, which offered features like three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and the Sync 3 infotainment system. The Reserve trim added second-row captain's chairs, upgraded leather, and a premium sound system. The Grand Touring trim, which we tested, included a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and additional luxury features like a head-up display and massaging seats. The Black Label trims offered even more luxury, with unique upholstery choices and nearly every available feature as standard. Despite the high-end options, the Standard trim was recommended for its value.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover's reputation for luxury and capability stemmed from its rugged origins, evolving into a luxury SUV with robust 4x4 underpinnings. The current-generation Range Rover, introduced in 2012, offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with both standard and long wheelbase options. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10-inch screens. Optional features ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system. The HSE trim added 20-way power-adjustable front seats and upgraded leather, while the Autobiography included massaging front seats and quad-zone climate control. The SVAutobiography stood out with unique styling and nearly every available feature, with only the rear-seat entertainment system as an option.

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 enhanced this setup with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was exclusively all-wheel drive. Both versions accelerated from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid system provided smooth acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, with an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and slightly lower for AWD.

The 2020 Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, with an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain offering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim featured a high-performance 5.0-liter V8, producing 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's air suspension and automatic load leveling provided a comfortable ride, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response System with multiple drive modes.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were praised for their comfort, while the power-closing third row was suitable 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. However, the Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments, which required navigating a touchscreen menu. The door-release function was particularly perplexing, with a button replacing the conventional handle, raising concerns about accessibility in emergencies.

The 2020 Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, with standard seating for five or four with optional second-row captain's chairs. The SWB version provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. Despite its cargo capacity, the Range Rover's unique two-piece power liftgate facilitated loading large items and created a convenient tailgate setup. The front row featured a center-console compartment and space beneath the digital control panel, while both front and rear doors offered ample storage compartments and cupholders.

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 head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist format, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Range Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo system consisted of two touchscreens, with the top screen handling navigation and media, and the lower screen managing climate and vehicle settings. Integrated dials in the lower screen adapted to different functions, though the system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the Range Rover's tech offerings.

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 advanced 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 Range Rover featured standard safety equipment such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Range Rover also offered a system to alert rear-seat passengers when it was safe to exit the vehicle.