2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 was a positive shift, moving away from the previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's lineup, 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 without overdoing it. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather used 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 trim stood out with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its balanced aesthetics contributed to its enduring success, making it a versatile SUV that could fit into various categories, from mainstream to luxury and performance. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, which we tested, featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine, 4WD, and premium interior materials, including leather, wood, and aluminum. While the exterior styling remained timeless, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's cabin exuded luxury, with quilted seat bolsters and a wood-and-leather steering wheel. However, the need for a redesign was evident.

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. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's electric and gas power combination provided smooth acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, offering a refined ride. The Excite drive mode added some dynamism, but the Aviator's weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, with slightly lower numbers for AWD.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For more power, an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was available, producing 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg combined. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, with Selec-Terrain traction management and Quadra-Lift air suspension, enhanced off-road capabilities. The Grand Cherokee Summit excelled on trails and offered a comfortable highway ride, though the V8 consumed fuel quickly in the city. The SUV's tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality, but it lacked surround-view and forward-view camera systems.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row configuration placed it among competitors like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were excellent, while the power-closing third row was suitable for short trips with adults or longer journeys with children. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with massage function were worth the learning curve, but the door-release mechanism was unnecessarily complex, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxury, though it was an expensive option. Rear-seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system contributed to a cramped feel. Large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. Interior storage was adequate, but the rear-seat entertainment system occupied much of the center console bin. The Grand Cherokee offered 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet when the second row was folded. Practical features included grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and readouts. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, offering a wealth of information in a minimalist format.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee used the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, which offered a nearly flawless user experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee's infotainment was impressive, it lacked some of the advanced technology found in newer models.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features like front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite added driver-assistance systems such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display were also included.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.