2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

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 with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing 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 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 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, once a rugged tool, had evolved into a luxury SUV. Starting at $92,000, it offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach $250,000 with upgrades. Our test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special edition trim. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained timeless, with hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and clean styling. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less intuitive than newer models. The Range Rover's design drew from its heritage, much like a Porsche 911, offering a blend of modernity and classic appeal.

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 model enhanced this setup with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was exclusively all-wheel drive. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid system 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. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and slightly lower for AWD.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered various powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities, aided by Terrain Response 2 traction control. On-road, the turbo-six provided smooth and rapid acceleration, with near-total cabin silence. The adaptive air suspension offered a classic wafting ride, while the steering was slow and syrupy. The Range Rover's fuel economy was 20 mpg combined, with our test averaging 18.5 mpg. The supercharged V8 variant returned 16 mpg city, 21 highway, and 18 combined.

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 praised for comfort, while the power-closing third row was best suited 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 controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The door-release function, in particular, was confusing, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked comfort, with inadequate thigh support and a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered luxury features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet of cargo space. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup allowed for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing large icons and readouts. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, offering a minimalist yet informative experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology was rendered through three digital displays, offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with some familiarity with smartphones or tablets. However, using the touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

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 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 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages offered advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.