2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Honda Passport

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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at a luxurious experience reminiscent of the Golden Age. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the interior, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles added to its appeal. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing a well-equipped base, while the Grand Touring and Black Label trims offered additional luxury and hybrid options.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a two-row version of the Pilot, sharing many styling similarities both inside and out. The Passport's interior featured a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, although it retained Honda's awkward button shifter design. The trim levels included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each offering a range of features. The Sport trim came with essentials like 20-inch alloy wheels and tri-zone climate control, while the EX-L added leather upholstery and a power moonroof. The Touring trim introduced advanced features like a hands-free liftgate and upgraded stereo system, and the Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats and wireless device charging. The Passport's interior was designed for practicality, with ample cargo space and a comfortable seating arrangement, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family used in the Explorer, Expedition, and Ford F-150. The Grand Touring trim took performance further by combining the V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was exclusively all-wheel drive. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by smooth acceleration and refined handling, with a focus on comfort rather than sportiness. Fuel economy for the conventional V6 with RWD was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the PHEV achieved a combined 23 mpg with a 21-mile electric-only range.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. The Passport's ride was optimized for comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and drive modes for various terrains. The AWD model could tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the FWD version had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Passport's performance was well-suited for both daily commuting and weekend adventures.

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 more 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. However, some interior controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated, potentially causing confusion for passengers.

The 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage options and comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers.

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, enhancing the driving experience.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across all trims, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While this was a positive move, the system's dated graphics and confusing menu layout were drawbacks. The inclusion of a volume dial was appreciated, though the overall audio interface lacked refinement.

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 advanced 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 Honda Passport was well-equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.