2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork, exuding a sense of Golden Age luxury without overdoing it. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons designed like piano keys, adding to the luxurious feel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced with Honda's two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2020, retained the same design for 2021. It looked similar to the standard gas-only CR-V, with "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos as distinguishing features. The LED fog lights had a more sophisticated design, and the rear bumper was different. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid featured unique instrumentation showing battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The paddles on the steering wheel managed the regenerative braking system. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The interior offered supportive front seats with 12-way power adjustment and heated front seats, while the rear seat provided remarkable legroom and comfort.

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 combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 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 PHEV's combination of electric and gas power provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The conventionally powered Aviator with RWD achieved 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version had slightly lower figures.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, pairing a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor. The total system output was 212 horsepower, with the electric assist motor generating 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. Additionally, there were three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight of 194 pounds, carried low in the vehicle, improved weight distribution and retained the standard CR-V AWD model's 8.2 inches of ground clearance. On the testing route, the CR-V Hybrid returned 33.7 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows of seating, competed with vehicles like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain’s chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but best suited for kids on longer trips. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments, but the 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be problematic in certain situations.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment and heated front seats. The rear seat provided remarkable legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was configured for maximum utility, holding 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite the battery pack reducing cargo space compared to the standard CR-V, it still offered ample room for luggage and other items.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with massive icons and readouts. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned for the 2017 model year, felt outdated in performance. The seven-inch touchscreen lacked a tuning knob, and the system took a long time to start up. The voice-recognition technology was subpar, making wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto necessary for better interaction. The navigation map display was cluttered, and the HondaLink connected services were not impressive. However, the Touring trim's nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and integrated Pandora internet radio.

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 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).