2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Volvo XC90

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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, boat-like appearance.

Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats appeared elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in less obvious places like the sides of the center console. The Aviator also featured a massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, showcasing Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The Aviator's lineup included five trims: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim came well-equipped with three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and the Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Reserve trim added second-row captain's chairs, upgraded leather upholstery, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Grand Touring trim, which we drove, included a huge sunroof, a head-up display, and a 28-speaker Revel 3D premium sound system. The Black Label trims offered even more luxury, with unique upholstery choices and nearly every feature as standard equipment.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 represented the pinnacle of Volvo design, proving that a big and tall SUV could be as beautiful as a low-slung sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatment, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, emphasizing width and stability.

Inside, the XC90's cabin was a blend of beige leather and aluminum, with options for matte wood trim and wool fabric seats. The seats were sculpted and supportive, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats, available as a bench or captain's chairs, were almost as comfortable as the front. The cabin featured rich leather on the dash and doors, padded materials for quality and safety, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat. The vertical touchscreen integrated seamlessly into the dash, maintaining simplicity and quality.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, 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 RWD or AWD, and the PHEV being AWD. 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. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned but 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 RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17/24/20. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Polestar tune increased these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid used an 11.6-kWh battery for up to 18 gas-free miles, with a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque.

The T6's mid-range acceleration was good, but the engine lagged in Comfort mode and revved too high in the Polestar Engineered model. Fuel economy for the T6 AWD was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the T5 AWD achieved 20/27/23. The T8 hybrid had a combined 27 mpg once the battery depleted. The XC90's steering was lifeless, and the body exhibited significant roll and dive while braking. However, the XC90 excelled in comfort and quietness.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row configuration placed it in the same category as the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was best suited for kids. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with a complicated seat-control system and an unconventional door-release function.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system responded quickly and was well-organized. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on the T6 and T8 powertrains. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded.

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

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options.

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, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display were also included.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and unique whiplash protection system.