2021 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

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 previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's range, with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline added a boat-like aesthetic. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The Aviator's interior was luxurious, with plush leather throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Notable features included a panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, highlighting Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum, the most luxurious trim in the lineup, offered a plush and roomy interior, ideal for accommodating passengers after a long flight. However, it struggled to fit all the luggage for six passengers, highlighting the utility of minivans for such tasks. The Expedition Platinum featured an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch wheels, and tasteful brightwork, giving it a bold presence. The extended-length Expedition MAX was recommended for those needing more cargo space. Inside, the Expedition's leather-lined cabin was comfortable, with large seats for all passengers, although only the front seats offered a massage function. The interior materials were a mix of premium and hard plastics, reflecting its origins from the F-150 pickup truck. Despite its shortcomings in cargo space, the Expedition remained a good-looking and comfortable full-size SUV.

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 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 RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD only. The Aviator's acceleration was impressive, reaching 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV provided smooth, confident acceleration, using electric power at low speeds to enhance the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were effective, though cushioned in feedback. The SUV 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, 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 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, except in the Platinum trim, which offered 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the configuration. It included Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the engine emitted a pleasant note. The transmission was smooth, and the steering and brakes performed as expected. The Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin, but the independent suspension kept the SUV stable. The Expedition offered an FX4 Off-Road Package for enhanced off-road capabilities. The Platinum trim averaged 17.1 mpg, with the EPA rating the 4WD model at 19 mpg 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 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. The Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments, which could be confusing. The 30-way seats included a massage function, adding to the luxury experience. However, the door-release function was unnecessarily complicated, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with power-deploying running boards and large seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for small items was plentiful. With the third-row seat folded, cargo volume expanded from 19.3 to 57.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 104.6 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the cargo floor's high liftover height was a consideration when loading heavy items.

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 design.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, while user-friendly, had an 8-inch touchscreen that felt small and sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, FordPass Connect, and a navigation system. The system also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging, with an available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system for added entertainment options.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with its substantial curb weight, had a safety advantage over many vehicles. It earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the 4WD version received four stars. The Expedition included Ford Co-Pilot360, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.