2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. This shift was a positive sign, indicating Lincoln's unique identity rather than mimicking 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, almost boat-like appearance.

Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in less obvious places, 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 Aviator's lineup included five trims, with the Standard trim offering a well-equipped base and the Grand Touring trim featuring a standout plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV with subtle yet effective design changes that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided making the RDX look like an off-roader, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping capabilities. The A-Spec Package added sporty interior features like simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, enhancing the overall sporty look and feel.

The RDX A-Spec's interior delivered a sporty ambiance with quality materials and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. However, the gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was hard to read, except at night. The RDX's interior was not typical for a compact crossover SUV, offering a unique and sporty experience. The A-Spec Package added front sport seats with special piping, a black headliner, and dark brushed aluminum trim, further enhancing the sporty feel.

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. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds.

The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth and confident acceleration, using electric power at low speeds to enhance the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving dynamics aimed for soft refinement, similar to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV. The Aviator featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, but its 5,600-pound weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, 20 combined. The PHEV drivetrain offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and front-wheel drive was standard, with the option to add the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. The SH-AWD system improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels and 100% of that to either rear wheel, making the RDX fun to drive.

The RDX's Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. A-Spec models featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the A-Spec lacked the adaptive dampers from the Advance Package, resulting in some body motion on rough roads. The 10-speed automatic transmission did not match revs when using paddle shifters, and a summer performance tire option was not available. Despite these drawbacks, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with a broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes. The Sport+ mode added aggressive behavior and a delightful engine sound.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, 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. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6.

The Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments. The 30-way seats with a massage function required navigating a seat-control menu on the center touchscreen. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be confusing for passengers. A manual door release was available only for the driver's door, raising concerns about accessibility in emergencies.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though priced and positioned as a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by the need to maximize utility, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable recline angle.

Storage space in the RDX could be improved, with a large but not easily accessible tray under the center console. The cargo volume measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats provided 58.9 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive but not class-leading. Acura also quoted a maximum value of 79.8 cubic feet, based on moving the front seats forward and packing cargo behind them, which was not a practical measurement.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Ford Explorer's portrait layout, the Aviator's screen used a conventional landscape layout, providing a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which did not use a touchscreen. Instead, drivers used a touch-sensing pad on the center console, mirroring the screen's layout. This approach required retraining the brain to expect different behavior from the touchpad, which could be a lengthy process. The TTI system still caused distraction, as drivers needed to confirm their actions on the screen.

Acura addressed driver distraction by separating stereo and climate controls from the display, offering smartphone projection, and integrating voice-recognition technology. The RDX also offered Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

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 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a collection of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a 2020 "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.