2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (later replaced by the Lincoln Corsair) in Lincoln's lineup. It marked a return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated look, while the low, wide beltline added a 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 was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, 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 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character. It had an expressive face with LED headlights and a big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 had S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, with an uncluttered appearance despite being packed with technology. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped, and the material selection was high-quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was positioned at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces.

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 output of 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 Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned but effective. The driving experience was refined, with an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and 17, 24, and 20 for AWD.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV added an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque to the standard gasoline-only Q5, resulting in a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV used a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 14.1-kWh battery, providing a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds. The Q5 PHEV achieved impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro AWD and offered various driving modes for electric-only, hybrid, or battery-reserve driving. The Q5's handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. The turning radius was 38.4 feet, and the four-wheel independent suspension provided minimal body roll and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row seating placed it in the same category as 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. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with a complicated seat-control system and an unconventional door-release function. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn, but the door-release function could be problematic in certain situations.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row offered 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for shorter rides. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row had cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center-console armrest. The interior design was uncluttered and functional, with everything laid out smartly.

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

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came with Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a new center-console touchpad. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

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 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2020 Q5 received top ratings in most categories. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.