2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Audi Q3

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC, which was later replaced by the Corsair. Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names signaled a departure from its previous naming conventions, suggesting a move away from imitating imports. The Aviator featured a cohesive design language across Lincoln's lineup, with striking headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost nautical appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at a luxurious past without overcommitting to it. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the interior, underscoring Lincoln's dedication to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury, setting it apart in a competitive market.

The 2021 Audi Q3 embraced a postmodern automotive styling, with its massive corporate grille complementing its chunky, dynamic design. The Q3's cabin mirrored this modern aesthetic, with a dash design that prominently framed the center touchscreen. When the redesigned Q3 debuted in 2019, its interior stood out, though Volkswagen's newer interiors began to catch up. Despite this, the Q3's cabin remained modern and refined, even if it felt less unique. The Q3 offered two trims: Premium and Premium Plus. The Premium trim included leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The Premium Plus added features like remote start, wireless charging, and a hands-free power liftgate. The absence of the Prestige trim meant its features were available as options, with the Technology Package offering a larger touchscreen and premium stereo.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family found in the Explorer, Expedition, and Ford F-150. The Grand Touring trim elevated this setup by integrating a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was exclusively all-wheel drive. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in approximately 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid system provided smooth acceleration and fuel conservation, using electric power at low speeds. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan's refined dynamics. The Aviator featured an "Excite" drive mode, though its 5,600-pound weight limited its agility. 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, respectively. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine was previously standard, but Audi lowered the base MSRP by $2,000, making the 228-hp engine a $2,000 option. The more potent powertrain suited the Q3 well, providing lively acceleration and solid passing power, especially in Sport mode. Audi's Drive Select offered Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, with the latter best suited for light trails. The base engine exhibited some turbo lag, particularly under hard acceleration or when passing on the highway. The Q3's handling was nimble and engaging, without compromising ride quality, achieving a balance that many automakers struggle to attain.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. While the second-row captain's chairs were praised, the power-closing third row was more suitable for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, the Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the complex seat adjustments and the door-release function, which could be confusing for passengers. The seats required navigating a touchscreen menu for full control, and the door-release button was not immediately intuitive, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar for its class, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space. The front seats were comfortable, with deep cargo pockets for storage, and the rear seats offered impressive headroom and legroom. The Q3 could accommodate five passengers, though four would be more comfortable for longer trips, provided they packed lightly.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Ford Explorer's portrait layout, the Aviator's screen used a landscape orientation, allowing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to display across the entire screen. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and a large head-up display, offering a wealth of information in a minimalist format.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen running Audi's MMI system, which offered logical menu navigation and standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the traditional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display, capable of showing the navigation map across most of the screen.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features such as front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered driver-assistance systems like 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 2021 Audi Q3 featured Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional driver assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Buyers could also opt for a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, and self-parking assist.