2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

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 was a positive shift, moving away from the previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified 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. The shifter buttons had a piano-key design, hinting at a luxurious past without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather used generously throughout the interior, underscoring Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles added to the Aviator's distinctiveness.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular exterior with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede pillows, and Beber floor mats. The dashboard was flat, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the interior was designed to feel substantial, with well-weighted doors and enhanced sound deadening. The Pacifica's interior was spacious, with thoughtful storage solutions and Stow 'n Go seating, making it a practical choice for families.

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 model enhanced this setup with 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 or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was exclusively AWD. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's electric power smoothed out the driving experience, especially at low speeds. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were effective, though feedback was cushioned. The vehicle offered an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, but 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 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Alternatively, the hybrid powertrain combined a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from the motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came with the V6 engine, with AWD and the hybrid powertrain as options. The Limited and Pinnacle trims offered AWD or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system was new to the Pacifica lineup, activating on-demand based on driving conditions. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg city, 28 highway, and 22 combined, with AWD models getting 17 mpg city, 25 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was best suited 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. The Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments, which could be confusing. The 30-way seats with a massage function were a highlight, despite the complexity of their controls. The door-release function was also non-traditional, requiring some acclimation.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and thoughtful storage solutions. The front seating area was roomy, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. Storage included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating with in-floor storage bins. The second-row storage console slid outward, providing additional space for passengers. The Pacifica's second and third rows offered ample legroom, though taller adults might prefer the middle row. The Stow 'n Go seats allowed for easy cargo loading, even in AWD models. The Pacifica Pinnacle boasted best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

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 head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist format.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was modern and customizable, with a clean design and quick responsiveness. While it lacked a head-up display, the navigation system was easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row entertainment system offered games and multiple ports for personal devices. The Pacifica's sound system options included a six-speaker setup, with upgrades to 13-, 19-, and 20-speaker systems. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

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 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 Chrysler Pacifica boasted 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.