2021 Ford Bronco vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

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 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 resembled piano keys, hinting at a luxurious past without overwhelming the design. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the interior, underscoring Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Ford Bronco drew inspiration from its original 1966 model, embracing a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy that updated classic elements with modern technology and materials. The Bronco's design featured a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and removable off-road sights on the hood. Its body was simple yet rugged, with standard 32-inch tires and optional 35-inch tires available with the Sasquatch package. The Bronco offered two-door and four-door configurations, with a choice of a soft-top or modular hardtop. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology, including a color touchscreen and a digitized instrument cluster. The interior was designed for durability, with reinforced metal and rubber-lined heavy-use points. The second-row seats were comfortable, especially in the four-door model, and the interior featured practical elements like stretchy mesh door pockets and sturdy grab handles.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft 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 all-wheel drive. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, with a focus on soft refinement. The plug-in hybrid offered smooth acceleration and a 21-mile electric-only range, with a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg. The conventional V6 achieved 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged engine with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter was paired with a 10-speed automatic. All models featured standard four-wheel drive. The Bronco excelled in off-road performance, with features like the G.O.A.T. system for terrain management and the Sasquatch package for enhanced off-road capability. On-road, the Bronco's ride was noisy and wiggly with the 35-inch tires, but the 2.7-liter engine provided smooth power delivery. Off-road, the Bronco demonstrated excellent traction and balance, making it a capable and fun vehicle for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the third row was best suited for children on longer trips. The Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. However, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated, with seat controls partially located on a door-mounted panel and a touchscreen menu. The door-release function was also unconventional, requiring a recessed button press to exit the vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Bronco emphasized modularity, with removable doors and fenders designed for easy repair and replacement. The doors came with protective storage bags and integrated grip handles, and the electrical connections were simple plugs. The Bronco's cargo hold accommodated door storage, and each bag was labeled and included a QR code for video instructions. The Bronco also featured standard under-chassis protection and optional skid plates. Inside, the Bronco's design was practical, with easily accessible controls for off-road settings and auxiliary equipment. The interior was rugged, with reinforced metal and rubber-lined heavy-use points, and the second-row seats were comfortable, especially in the four-door model.

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 Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, offering a wealth of information in a minimalist format.

The 2021 Ford Bronco used the SYNC 4 infotainment system with enhanced voice recognition. The standard 8-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to a 12-inch display with the High Package. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and a wireless charging pad. The Bronco's G.O.A.T. system offered up to seven drive modes, and the Sasquatch Package included Bilstein shock absorbers for improved off-road capability.

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

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered safety features that increased with higher trim levels. The Base model included airbags, while the Mid Package added a reverse sensing system, Ford Co-Pilot 360 with pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping system, and auto high-beam headlamps. The High Package added a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations, considering lean angle and roll speed.