2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

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 flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at luxury 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 ample features for its price, while the Grand Touring and Black Label trims offered enhanced luxury and performance options.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, redesigned in 2019, presented a bolder, more angular look, enhancing its reputation for durability. The Adventure trim improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring AWD system and multiple driving modes. The TRD Off-Road trim took it further with specialized wheels, tires, and suspension, offering a versatile ride. The TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its unique features, and the test vehicle's Lunar Rock gray paint with a white roof was both attractive and practical. Inside, the RAV4 featured TRD logos, rubber mats, and a mix of quality materials. The TRD Off-Road trim was near the top of the RAV4's lineup, offering a blend of equipment and value. The test vehicle, fully equipped, was priced at $42,902, including dealer-installed accessories.

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 enhanced this 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 RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD. Both versions accelerated from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV provided smooth, confident acceleration, using electric power at low speeds. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were effective, offering a refined driving experience. 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, 21 combined, while the AWD version was slightly lower. The PHEV achieved a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid, a separate model, offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg combined, but wasn't available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided adequate performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable at high altitudes. An 8-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model included a torque-vectoring AWD system with fuel-saving technology and multiple terrain settings, making it capable off-road. The RAV4 averaged 23.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined. The TRD Off-Road excelled in urban environments, handling speed humps and offering a comfortable ride, though its all-terrain tires weren't ideal for fast mountain driving.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were excellent, while the power-closing third row was best for short trips with adults. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, like the door handles and seat adjustments, which could be confusing. The 30-way seats with massage function were a highlight, despite the learning curve. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-placed seating hip points. The driver's seat was 8-way adjustable, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided good support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered ample legroom for adults and children, with air vents and USB ports for convenience. Interior storage was generous, with a dashboard shelf and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seat folded. The test vehicle included a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, offering a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and head-up display provided essential information in a minimalist manner.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4's technology was user-friendly, with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen depending on the trim. The TRD Off-Road's 8-inch system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot available for a fee. The system was easy to use, with physical controls for volume and tuning. The TRD Off-Road impressed with its voice-recognition technology and optional Technology Package, which added wireless charging, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features like airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring advanced safety systems like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, parking assist, and blind spot assist. Toyota also provided a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services. The RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance, though headlight performance varied.