2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator positioned itself smartly between the Lincoln Navigator and the compact MKC and Lincoln Corsair. The switch from the old alphabet-soup naming convention to real vehicle names marked a significant shift in Lincoln's branding strategy, suggesting a move away from mimicking imports. Lincoln achieved a unified aesthetic across its lineup, with the Aviator featuring handsome headlights, an upright chrome grille, and a slightly tapered roofline that lent it an elongated look. Its low, wide beltline contributed to a distinctive boat-like appearance.

Inside, the Aviator's cabin showcased a flowing design, with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons adopting a piano-key design. Lincoln managed to evoke hints of Golden Age luxury without overwhelming the design language. The front seats were extraordinarily comfortable, featuring soft-touch materials extending to the dash, door panels, and even the sides of the center console, indicating a dedicated commitment to luxury.

Noteworthy touches in the Aviator included a massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Such details underscored Lincoln’s holistic approach to luxury. The Aviator’s lineup comprised five trims: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. Even the base Standard trim was impressively equipped, including three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and heated front seats, alongside the Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Driving the Grand Touring trim showcased additional luxury elements such as the head-up display, a 28-speaker Revel 3D premium sound system, and 30-way seats with a massaging function. However, the Aviator's plug-in hybrid drivetrain was a standout feature in this trim level.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Yukon targeted a different approach with its truck-based, full-size SUV design. The Yukon, available in standard and extended-length body styles and in SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims, aimed at providing a rugged yet refined look that placed it between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors spectrum. The new AT4 trim, optimized for off-road adventures, featured skid plates, all-terrain tires, and an improved approach angle.

The Yukon Denali stood out with unique styling touches like intricate grillework, vent-style fender badges, chrome lower body trim, and appealing rear design, which made it more upscale than an equivalent Chevrolet Tahoe High Country. The Denali also boasted an exclusive dashboard design with real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, unique stitching, and an available panoramic sunroof, elevating its cabin to premium levels.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, shared with the Explorer, Expedition, and Ford F-150, delivered robust performance for the Aviator. The Grand Touring trim took performance up a notch by combining the 3.0-liter turbo V6 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 available in RWD or AWD, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was exclusively AWD.

The Grand Touring’s hybrid setup smoothed out acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, making it a strong choice for luxury hybrid SUVs. The fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway for RWD, and 17 mpg city, 24 highway for AWD. The PHEV variant offered a combined 23 mpg with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe combined rating.

Meanwhile, the 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine choices. Most Yukons, except the Denali, had a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 engine. The Denali sported an exclusive 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, delivering 460 lb-ft of torque. An upcoming 3.0-liter turbo-diesel was also set to be available for all Yukons except the AT4. The 6.2-liter V8 provided robust acceleration and was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. However, it lagged in fuel efficiency, delivering 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The new independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension enhanced the Yukon’s ride quality and handling. The big Yukon, despite its size, displayed impressive agility and response thanks to the Active Response 4WD system, which enhanced traction and cornering performance. However, riding on 22-inch wheels did transmit more road imperfections into the cabin, dulling the luxury experience slightly.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row configuration, competed against the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. Its second-row captain’s chairs were highly praised for comfort, and the power-closing third row was suitable for shorter trips for adults but better for children on longer rides. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6.

However, some controls in the Aviator were complex. The 30-way seats required a touchscreen for full adjustments, and the electronic door-release mechanism puzzled many initially. The lack of a manual door release for passengers in scenarios like a battery failure was also notable.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited significantly from a new independent rear suspension, enhancing both passenger comfort and cargo space. Front seat room remained ample, with Denali trims featuring heated and ventilated leather seats and additional storage solutions like a power sliding console. However, the front seats felt hard over long drives, and the door panels had uncomfortable seams.

The second-row seats in the Yukon now slid and collapsed to fold flat, improving comfort and access to the third row. The third-row seat in the new Yukon provided much-needed thigh support and space for adults, bringing it on par with the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia. Cargo volume also improved significantly, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet for the standard Yukon. The extended Denali XL offered even more space, rivaling minivans in terms of cargo capacity.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The traditional landscape layout allowed for seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, taking full advantage of the screen's size. The fully digital instrument panel and a sizable head-up display further enhanced the user experience. The Aviator made it easy to stay connected and well-informed on the road.

The 2021 GMC Yukon, especially in the Denali trim with the Ultimate Package, offered a robust infotainment suite with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Additional features included Amazon Alexa integration, optional 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and over-the-air updates. The Ultimate Package added wireless device charging, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system, featuring dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays, provided entertainment for rear passengers, although it required some technical workarounds for streaming content.

Despite its modern tech, the Yukon’s Bose Performance Series audio system was lackluster, failing to meet expectations for an SUV of this caliber. However, the 15-inch color head-up display and numerous camera systems improved the Yukon's overall usability.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with standard safety features such as front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite included advanced driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display, providing comprehensive safety coverage.

The 2021 GMC Yukon mirrored this focus on safety with a plethora of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking below 50 mph, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim featured rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS worked smoothly, enhancing the driving experience by responding calmly to on-road conditions.