2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC and 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 roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline added a boat-like aesthetic. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The Aviator's interior was luxurious, with plush leather throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Notable features included a panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing a well-equipped base, while the Grand Touring trim featured a standout plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, received some design updates, including the hourglass grille seen across the Lexus lineup. While the GX's design was dated, it shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, known for its rugged capability. The GX's cabin retained its early 2010s styling, with a large center console and big buttons. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim offered a long list of standard features, including leather upholstery and a power sunroof. The Premium trim added features like rain-sensing wipers and navigation, while the Luxury trim included premium leather upholstery and a self-leveling air suspension. The GX's rear-seat entertainment system was optional, but CarGurus recommended the base 460 trim for its well-equipped nature.

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 was all-wheel drive. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, with a focus on soft refinement. The fuel economy for the conventional Aviator with RWD was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the PHEV achieved a combined 23 mpg with a 21-mile electric-only range.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4-wheel drive. While its horsepower and torque figures might not impress compared to modern engines, the V8 provided a distinctive swell of power. The GX's steering was light but direct, and the self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth ride. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with various 4WD modes and a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured three rows of seating, with optional second-row captain's chairs and a power-closing third row. The third row was adequate for adults but best suited for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator's interior had some confusing controls, such as the seat and door handle functions, which could be overly complicated.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The GX's cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The GX featured a side-opening rear hatch, which was unique but not particularly advantageous. However, it did have a separately opening rear window/hatch for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen with a landscape layout. This setup allowed for full-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, providing a wealth of information in a minimalist manner.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it featured a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. While the system was simpler than modern Lexus setups, it lacked the connectivity features many drivers expect.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features such as front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It also came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which included 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 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX offered excellent visibility with large windows and mirrors, enhancing safety.