2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair. The Aviator's design featured a unified look across Lincoln's lineup, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, and the low, wide beltline added a boat-like look. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. The Aviator also had unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets. The cabin also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Sky one-touch power top on the Rubicon 392 allowed for a convenient open-air experience, operating at speeds up to 60 mph.

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. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV drivetrain provided a smooth driving experience, using electric power at low speeds. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned in their feedback. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, 20 combined. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 producing 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. All engines routed power to one of three four-wheel-drive (4WD) systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also had beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes. The dual-mode performance exhaust emitted an incredible rumble, adding to the driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row configuration placed it in the same category as 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, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with a complicated seat-control system and an unconventional door-release function. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn the controls.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple options for cloth tops and hardtops, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulated panels to reduce road noise. The Sky one-touch power top on the Rubicon 392 provided a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The screen used a landscape layout, providing a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, offering crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the center of the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the slats of the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with standard safety features, including 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, and automatic high beams. Other safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.