2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 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 old alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, 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 boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons designed like piano keys. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, adopted a tougher and more angular look, reminiscent of the 4Runner. Its front fascia featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a mechanical appearance. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested off-road capability. The RAV4 Hybrid was available in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited. Lower trims had 17-inch wheels, while the XSE and Limited featured 18-inch wheels. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with adaptive headlights available on the top trim. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid had a simple and functional design with tasteful trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the fabric seats were comfortable, and the interior materials were nice, though not as luxurious as some competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

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 (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 PHEV provided smooth, confident acceleration and used electric power at low speeds to enhance fuel efficiency. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned but effective. The vehicle had an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, though it remained a 5,600-pound SUV. 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 had a combined 23 mpg rating, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's 219 horsepower was 16 more than the standard version, with a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. This exceptional fuel economy was consistently achievable in real-world driving. The RAV4 Hybrid's powertrain combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, driving all four wheels. The first electric motor delivered up to 118 hp to the front wheels, while the second motor, with 54 hp, powered the rear wheels. A third, smaller electric motor served as a starter and generator. The RAV4 Hybrid's nickel-metal hydride battery was mounted under the rear seats, and the vehicle did not require plugging in. The hybrid system eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, making the RAV4 Hybrid only about 200 pounds heavier than the non-hybrid model. The hybrid system provided smooth regenerative braking and nearly seamless electric motor assist. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds and had standard trailer sway control. Its steering was light, and the suspension was soft, making it easy to drive.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with vehicles like 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. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with seat controls split between a door-mounted panel and the center touchscreen. The 30-way seats included a massage function, which was worth the effort to learn the controls. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be confusing for passengers.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently atop the center dashboard. The touchscreen was flanked by hard buttons and knobs for volume and tuning, while climate controls were located lower in the center dash stack. The center console had space for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin under the armrest. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin could be quieter, but the hybrid system mitigated engine noise. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, accommodating three adults comfortably. The hybrid model did not compromise interior or cargo space, providing the same 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity as the standard RAV4.

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 a massive head-up display offered a minimalist and unobtrusive way to access information.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. The RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a USB-A port on the dash and additional USB-A charging ports in the center console and backseat. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured "Predictive Efficient Drive," which optimized battery usage based on driver inputs and navigation data. The drive mode selector allowed drivers to choose between "Eco," "Sport," "Trail," and "Normal" modes, enhancing efficiency or performance as needed.

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 included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, including a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. Additional safety features included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect, stability control, LATCH anchors, and eight airbags. Blind spot monitoring and front and rear parking assist with automated braking were optional. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test, five in the side crash test, and four in the rollover test. The standard RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. The RAV4 Hybrid had two safety recalls in 2020, one for leaking engine coolant and another for suspension issues.