2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names, a positive shift from its previous alphabet-soup naming convention. 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's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys, hinting at Golden Age luxury without overdoing it. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, with plush leather used throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. The Aviator also had unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, showcasing Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a puffed-up Forester, appealed with its practical and utilitarian design. Gray plastic cladding provided 360-degree protection along the lower edges, while an oversized grille and exaggerated fender flares added visual strength. Robust roof rails and appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels were standard on three of the four trim levels. The base Ascent, starting at $31,995, came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim for $34,395 added nicer detailing, a superior infotainment system, and access to more features, including larger wheels. The Limited trim, priced at $39,345, included leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim, costing $45,045, featured premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, special wood trim, and other luxury enhancements. The Touring trim's interior, with its Java Brown leather and thoughtful details, felt more stylish than any recent Subaru, providing a sense of getting one's money's worth.

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 took this setup 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 rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid system 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 yet effective. The Excite drive mode offered a more dynamic experience, but the Aviator's 5,600-pound weight limited its sportiness. 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 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD). With 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, it provided good acceleration for its size. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined for versions with 20-inch wheels. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The brakes heated up quickly and grumbled under stress. The CVT, while decent, produced uneven power delivery and unpredictable performance. The shifter felt cheap, and the Ascent rolled significantly when parked on a hill without the parking brake engaged. Despite these issues, the Ascent excelled on freeways and in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows of seating, 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. 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 controls were somewhat confusing, with seat controls split between a door-mounted panel and a touchscreen menu. The door-release function also puzzled passengers, with a button instead of a conventional handle. A manual door release was available but only for the driver's door, raising concerns about accessibility in emergencies.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, especially in the Touring trim, offered comfort with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat included a manual thigh support extension, and the armrests were densely padded. The front seats provided significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, while the center control panel was logically laid out. The Ascent offered a choice between a 3-person second-row bench seat or individual captain's chairs, with the latter available in Premium and Limited trims. The third-row seat was relatively comfortable, with easy access and acceptable space for shorter trips. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded. The upright liftgate and rear glass made the cargo space more useful, and Subaru offered various racks and carriers for the standard roof rails.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compared to the Ford Explorer's portrait layout. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, which presented information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent included the Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps like Pandora. Premium trim added a larger 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved with a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the screen size was relatively small, the Touring's display was satisfying to use, with stereo knobs and separate climate controls. However, Subaru's voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system also had issues, frequently misplacing the Ascent during testing. On the positive side, Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the premium Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality. USB ports in all three rows compensated for the lack of a wireless smartphone charging pad. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view, a 180-degree rear camera view, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system, allowing owners to lock and unlock the SUV without the key fob.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came 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 Subaru Ascent, built on Subaru's latest global platform, received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, with the Security Plus upgrade plan free for six months, offering additional safety and convenience features.