2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC (later replaced by the Corsair) in Lincoln's lineup. This model 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 handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons designed like piano keys. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design direction, opting for smooth, sleek lines over deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. The base CX-5 Sport came with automatic LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing wipers. The Touring trim added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and a six-speaker audio system. The Touring Preferred SV Package further enhanced the Touring model with a Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, and a power moonroof. The Carbon Edition featured Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black mirrors, and 19-inch wheels, with red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim. The Grand Touring trim added dual heated mirrors, leatherette upholstery, and various LED lights. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims offered even more luxury, with features like ventilated seats, heated rear seats, and Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats. The Signature trim also included genuine wood trim and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror.

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 only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV provided smooth, confident acceleration and a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The conventionally powered Aviator with RWD achieved 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version got 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with AWD available. The Carbon Edition offered a choice between the base engine and a 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 320 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims came with the turbo-four engine and AWD. The most fuel-efficient version was the FWD model with the non-turbo engine, achieving 25 mpg city, 31 highway, and 28 combined. The AWD version got 24 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. The turbocharged engine models achieved 23 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 combined with FWD, and 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined with AWD. The turbo engine provided plenty of power and a sporty driving experience, though the stiff suspension could be a drawback.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows of seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain’s chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but better suited for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space. However, some controls, like the 30-way seat adjustments and door-release function, were overly complicated. The seats required navigating a touchscreen menu, and the door-release button was not intuitive, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and stylish interior, though rear legroom was limited, especially with taller front-seat passengers. The SUV had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. Climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. However, the large shifter and infotainment system controls were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was below average for the segment. Competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 offered significantly more cargo space.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, providing a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was less user-friendly, with information presented in a cluttered manner. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was a drawback, though volume control was accessible via the steering wheel or a center console knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the less intuitive infotainment system.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with a full array of 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, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda provided a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.