2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair, made a strong visual impression. It was clear that Lincoln’s move back to using real vehicle names suggested more than just an intention to copy imports. This model unified Lincoln's new look across its lineup with handsome headlights, an upright chrome grille, and a tapering roofline that gave it an elongated and almost boat-like appearance.

Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and a selective use of brightwork. The seats appeared both elegant and sturdy, and the shifter buttons presented a design reminiscent of piano keys. This design alluded to a nouveau Golden Age of luxury, but without being overly nostalgic. Comfortable front seats backed up their chic appearance with high-quality materials extending to the dash, door panels, and even the sides of the center console, emphasizing Lincoln's deep commitment to luxury. The massive panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra added unique touches that elevated its luxurious ambiance.

The Aviator was available in five trims for 2020: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. Each trim offered progressively more features, starting with three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and the Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the Standard model. The Reserve trim added benefits like a hands-free power liftgate, genuine leather upholstery, and a premium sound system. The Grand Touring brought features like ventilated front seats and a 28-speaker Revel 3D sound system, making it ideal for those seeking high-end luxury with hybrid efficiency. At the top, the Black Label trims offered virtually every feature as standard, including exclusive upholstery options and advanced technology.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator largely carried over the successful design of the 2020 model. Lincoln's avoidance of mimicking rivals' styles paid off, with the Aviator reflecting the sharp and sophisticated styling of the Navigator. Defined by crisp lines and ample chrome, the Aviator retained an impressive visual appeal, benefiting from these stylistic choices.

Inside, Lincoln continued to distinguish itself with high-quality touches that set it apart from its Ford counterpart, the Explorer. The Aviator's cabin combined soft-touch materials with elegant chrome accents and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that dominated the dash. The piano button shifter added a sophisticated touch. Unique touches like the soothing chimes, featured in place of typical car alerts, contributed to a serene and classy atmosphere.

Trims for the 2021 Aviator remained consistent with those from 2020, with detailed attention given to features and luxury enhancements. The Standard trim featured synthetic leather, tri-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Reserve added upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The Grand Touring, which we drove, enhanced luxury and practicality with features like adaptive headlights, massaging front seats, and additional drive assistance features. The Black Label trims added a head-up display and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system as standard, offering a full premium experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, either in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations. Notably, the Grand Touring model combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor to produce an impressive 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains provided robust acceleration, achieving 0-60 mph in around 4 seconds. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system provided a smooth driving experience with electric power at low speeds, enhancing its premium feel.

The Aviator’s steering was light, and braking was confident yet cushioned, aiming for a soft refinement in driving dynamics. The “Excite” drive mode added a more dynamic feel, though the SUV’s substantial 5,600-pound weight was still noticeable. Fuel economy for the conventional V6 stood at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and 17, 24, 20 for AWD. The PHEV version offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and 56 MPGe combined.

In 2021, the Aviator’s performance features remained consistent. The Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims continued to carry the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 creating 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with power routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims included the same twin-turbo V6 in a plug-in hybrid setup, enhancing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 21 miles on pure electric power when fully charged.

The hybrid drivetrain provided a brisk acceleration for 2021, maintaining a smooth driving experience despite the SUV’s heft. In corners, there was noticeable body roll, and its long wheelbase occasionally made tight maneuvering challenging. The Aviator’s drive mode selector offered “Excite” and “Conserve” modes, which was appropriate given its non-sporting character but sufficient power.

For the 2020 Aviator, the three rows provided a competitive option in the midsize luxury SUV class, rivaling models like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly comfortable, and the power-closing third row was adequate for adults on shorter trips. Cargo space expanded to 77 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, matching rivals like the Cadillac XT6.

However, some of the Aviator’s design choices were complex. The 30-way adjustable seats with massage functions were excellent but initially confusing to operate via the door-mounted panel and touchscreen interface. The door-release buttons, in lieu of traditional handles, also posed potential usability issues, particularly if the battery were to fail.

The 2021 Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. With power-lowering third-row seats, this expanded to 41.8 cubic feet, culminating in a total cargo capacity of 77.7 cubic feet with all seats folded flat—ample space for the midsize luxury SUV class. The second-row captain's chairs continued to stand out, especially with features like a center console and a digital control panel for various settings, demonstrating Lincoln’s attention to rear-seat passenger experience.

The use of power-button door releases, both inside and out, continued to draw attention. While aesthetically pleasing, there were concerns about functionality if the battery failed.

The 2020 Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike its sibling, the Ford Explorer, which used an awkward portrait layout, the Aviator utilized a more user-friendly landscape format. This setup worked particularly well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presenting these interfaces beautifully across the screen with large icons.

The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display in our test car were practical and sleek. The head-up display effectively organized and displayed a variety of features without cluttering the visual space.

For 2021, the Aviator continued with the 10.1-inch touchscreen and Sync 3 system. Once again, the landscape layout proved to be more intuitive compared to the Explorer’s tall screen. The Sync 3 system had a user-friendly menu layout and benefited from redundant controls below the screen. The comprehensive integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a highlight, providing expansive use of the entire screen. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display with crisp, clear graphics further enhanced the tech experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with a robust set of standard safety features, including a comprehensive array of airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite provided driver-assistance technologies such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The head-up display was another useful safety feature.

By 2021, safety continued to be a focus with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, including features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Grand Touring model we tested included the Co-Pilot360 Plus package, adding reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control—features that worked seamlessly and were minimally intrusive.

The 2021 Aviator earned top ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), capturing the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick accolade.