2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC, later replaced by the 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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at a luxurious experience without overdoing it. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather throughout the interior, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles added to its appeal. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing a well-equipped base, while the Grand Touring trim stood out with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The 2020 Lexus RX received a refresh with significant upgrades inside and out. Its styling changes allowed it to stand out in a crowded market, maintaining a stylish edge over Toyota models. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble Lexus cars, and new paint colors were introduced. The cabin was well-appointed, offering various interior color and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique features like a steering wheel, shift knob, and aluminum pedals. The RX's interior was luxurious yet practical, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a hardy design suitable for family use. However, the center stack's dated appearance was a drawback as the industry moved toward more modern designs.

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 model enhanced this setup with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was all-wheel drive. Both versions achieved 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, offering a refined ride. It featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, though its 5,600-pound weight limited its agility. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and slightly lower for AWD.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350L models had slightly reduced power at 290 hp and 263 lb-ft. The RX 450h hybrid combined the V6 with an electric motor for 308 hp and 247 lb-ft. The RX 450hL used the same setup but achieved 259 hp from the gasoline engine and 165 hp from an electric motor. The hybrid models featured an electronically-controlled CVT and all-wheel drive. The RX's acceleration was modest, with most models taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph. Fuel economy was a strong suit for the hybrid, with the RX 450h achieving 30 mpg combined. The RX F Sport models offered adaptive variable suspension and sportier features. The RX provided a smooth driving experience, with good throttle response and handling, though it struggled in snowy conditions without torque-vectoring technology.

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 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, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with massage function were a highlight, but the door-release mechanism was confusing, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was less minimalist than its German rivals but functional. The two-row RX comfortably accommodated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in the two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar obstructed some views. The RX's cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350L and 450hL had even less cargo space compared to the Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

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 clear information. The Aviator's tech setup was praised for its intuitive design and functionality.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was criticized for its complexity, but improvements were made for 2020. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was moved closer to the driver, though navigation remained challenging. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other integrations provided workarounds for the system's shortcomings. The RX added two USB ports, totaling six, and offered a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The touchpad system improved in responsiveness, enhancing usability.

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 offered driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display were also included.

The 2020 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2020 model added daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models. Lexus Enform Safety Connect and Service Connect subscriptions were included, though connectivity issues were noted during testing.