2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

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, boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a flowing design. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with a piano-key design for the shifter buttons. The Aviator's interior was plush, with leather used generously throughout, indicating a strong 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 and Black Label trims offered additional luxury and hybrid options.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, was a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, offering both FWD and AWD options. Despite its age, the Rogue maintained an attractive appearance, with a bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels on the SL trim. However, its interior design showed its age, with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The Rogue's center console sides were padded for comfort, but overall, the interior lacked the modernity seen in newer models. The Rogue's simplicity extended to its trim levels and options, with the SL trim offering additional features like the SL Premium Package. While the Rogue's design and features were functional, they didn't match the luxury and refinement of the Aviator.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family used in the Ford Explorer, Expedition, and F-150. The Grand Touring trim took performance further by combining the V6 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 RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD only. The Aviator's acceleration was impressive, with both versions achieving 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's electric power smoothed out the driving experience, offering a refined ride. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes provided cushioned feedback. The Excite drive mode added some dynamism, but the Aviator's weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a single powertrain: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue's performance was adequate but not sporty. The CVT made the most of the available power, but acceleration was lacking, especially when merging onto highways or passing slower vehicles. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg combined for FWD models, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which enhanced cornering and smoothed out road imperfections. However, the Rogue's steering was lifeless, and the suspension lacked isolation. The CVT drone further detracted from the driving experience, making the Rogue more of a vehicle to endure than enjoy.

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 highly praised, while the power-closing third row was best suited 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 controls were somewhat confusing, with complex seat controls and unconventional door handles. The seats featured a 30-way adjustment with a massage function, but the controls required some learning. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a traditional handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior was less accommodating for taller drivers, with limited seat height adjustment and legroom. The seats, though undersized, featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design for comfort and support. Rear passengers enjoyed a high seat cushion, excellent thigh support, and a panoramic sunroof, making the back seat a preferred location. In-cabin storage was limited, with only the glove compartment offering significant space. However, the Rogue excelled in cargo capacity, providing 39 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, along with underfloor storage and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

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 design. The Aviator's tech setup was intuitive and modern, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Depending on the trim, upgrades included SiriusXM, navigation, a Bose sound system, and NissanConnect Services. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition. While the Rogue offered a range of features, the interface left much to be desired, impacting the overall tech experience.

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 added 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 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 collection, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features included a Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert system. Optional safety tech included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and issues with frontal-impact protection.