2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller 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 roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline added a boat-like aesthetic. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The Aviator's interior was luxurious, with plush leather throughout, even in less visible areas, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Notable features included a panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, highlighting Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing a well-equipped base option, while higher trims like the Grand Touring and Black Label added more luxury and performance features.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, was a large, imposing SUV that shared its basic structure with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. It exuded elegance and understatement, despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. The Navigator featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents. It impressed with its Pristine White exterior and illuminated Lincoln logo, making it a standout during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator offered a choice of seven color palettes, with the Slate Gray interior of the test model showcasing attention to detail. The interior featured layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. Black Label trims elevated luxury with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats offered 30-way adjustability, providing exceptional comfort. While the Navigator's interior was spacious and luxurious, it lacked some of the advanced technology and features found in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

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 were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base V6 offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's combination of electric and gas power provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were responsive, offering a refined driving experience. The Aviator featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel, although it remained a 5,600-pound SUV. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Despite its 3.5-liter displacement, this engine provided impressive performance, making the Navigator feel agile and producing a satisfying sound. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, enhancing the driving experience. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, but the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was suitable for children on longer trips. The Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, the Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the seat and door handle designs. The 30-way seats included a massage function, but their controls were somewhat complex. The door-release function was also unique, requiring users to find a recessed button, which could be confusing. While a manual door release was available for the driver's door, it raised concerns about accessibility in certain situations.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, akin to a small bedroom, accommodating six adults comfortably. It was a seven-passenger SUV, with the third row's middle seat best suited for children. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, offering 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage capacity. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, although it lacked some advanced features found in competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with extensive adjustability and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Ford Explorer's portrait layout, the Aviator's screen used a landscape orientation, providing a more user-friendly interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were displayed across the entire screen, offering large icons and easy navigation. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, providing essential information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt somewhat dated compared to competitors. Its 10-inch touchscreen appeared small next to the advanced displays in the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's instrument panel lacked full-screen map capabilities and different design options. The cameras were low-resolution, and the infotainment system did not support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, sharing its interface with Ford models but with a unique Lincoln skin. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, although there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance to the instrument panel.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It also featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assistance systems that included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety technologies included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in most tests except for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator did not offer knee airbags, but inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were optional. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, although the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.