2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (later replaced by the 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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost 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 designed like 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 Chevrolet Suburban had a polarizing front-end design, with small headlights and large, busy grilles that borrowed from the Camaro's design language. This design choice was not universally well-received, and some past redesigns had even necessitated early refreshes. However, the interior remained largely unchanged, with controls in familiar places, making it user-friendly. The touchscreen was framed by a chrome strip that could reflect sunlight into the driver's eyes, a minor design flaw.

Trim levels for the Suburban included LS, LT, Z71, RST, Premier, and the top-tier High Country. The High Country trim, which we tested, featured the High Country Deluxe package with adaptive air suspension, power-retractable running boards, a panoramic sunroof, and various driver assistance features. Despite its upscale features, the High Country's interior had hard plastic and lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs, making it more akin to an upscale pickup.

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 added a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 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. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving experience was refined, with a focus on comfort rather than sportiness. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The PHEV had a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 6.2-liter V8 was available, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 5.3-liter V8 with the Max Trailering package could tow up to 8,300 pounds. Our test vehicle featured the new Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with standard RWD or optional 4WD.

The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Suburban's truck-based underpinnings were evident in its handling, with strong brakes and a compliant ride thanks to the new independent rear suspension. However, it still exhibited body roll and some truck-like tendencies, such as chatter over bumps and susceptibility to crosswinds.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row configuration placed it in competition with the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults on short trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 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 touchscreen menu, which could be cumbersome. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a traditional handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs.

The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, with the main difference being the button shifter design, which was less intuitive than a column shifter. The power-sliding center console was another complex feature, slower than a latch-released design and requiring an overhead button to operate. Despite these quirks, the Suburban's sheer volume of passenger and cargo space was a significant advantage.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and readouts. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, offering a minimalist yet informative readout.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an available wireless charging pad for added convenience. Optional tech included a navigation system, rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a head-up display with easy-to-read graphics.

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, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban was equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed for setting speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.