2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair. Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names signaled a departure from its old alphabet-soup naming convention, indicating a move away from copying imports. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, 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 resembling piano keys. The cabin's plush leather extended to areas like the dash and door panels, underscoring 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 Sienna, in its third generation since 2011, felt dated despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, hinting at less-than-ideal fit and finish. The instrument panel looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna's trims ranged from the base L to the Limited Premium, with the base L featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added dual power sliding doors and easy-clean upholstery, while the SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included a power rear liftgate. The SE Premium and XLE trims offered additional features like a power moonroof and leather-trimmed seating. The Limited trim added leather front seats and a JBL premium audio system, while the Limited Premium included a DVD entertainment system and HID headlights.

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's combination of electric and gas power provided smooth, confident acceleration and a fuel economy of 23 mpg combined, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The conventionally powered Aviator with RWD achieved 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version returned 17/24/20 mpg. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned, offering a refined driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna's Sport mode enhanced throttle and shift response, while the manual mode supported its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base L. AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while AWD versions achieved 18/24/20 mpg. The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base provided decent handling dynamics, though its twitchy steering response required constant attention at higher speeds. Despite this, the Sienna offered a smooth ride and confidence-inspiring handling.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with vehicles like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. 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. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with seat controls split between a door-mounted panel and a center touchscreen menu. The door-release function also required some getting used to, with a button on the back of the handle instead of a conventional handle.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain’s chairs than a bench. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features like the Auto Access Seat, a built-in rotating lift seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims like the Limited came with navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim also featured Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver’s voice to the rear speakers, making it easier to communicate with passengers in the back.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features like front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered 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 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, which included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning and avoidance with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims but standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and top ratings from the IIHS in several areas, including side crash and rollover crash.