2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC and 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 with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a flowing design. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with a piano-key design for the shifter buttons. The Aviator's interior was a testament to Lincoln's commitment to luxury, featuring plush leather throughout and unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning it with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The SUV featured a new grille, fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look while retaining its traditional robust styling. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package offered on the SL. The exterior changes were complemented by body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield. The Armada's design updates brought it closer to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder, but it maintained its beefy and athletic appearance. Despite the updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with a mix of modern tech features and older design elements.

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 used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD only. The Aviator's driving experience was characterized by light steering and cushioned brakes, offering a refined ride. The PHEV's electric power smoothed out acceleration, and the vehicle's Excite drive mode provided a more dynamic experience. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the PHEV achieved 23 mpg combined with a 21-mile electric-only range.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered RWD as standard, with 4WD available. Despite its weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. Its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, while 4WD models got 13 mpg city, 18 highway, and 15 combined. The Armada's driving experience improved with each revision, offering better handling and a more manageable highway ride. It also boasted a best-in-class towing capacity of 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator offered three rows of seating, placing it in competition 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 best suited for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space. However, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The seats required navigating a touchscreen menu for full control, and the door-release function was unconventional, potentially causing confusion in emergencies.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered ample space and practicality for families. Standard running boards and in-cabin handles facilitated entry and exit. The Armada's broad interior featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were out of easy reach. Front seats were power-adjustable, and second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims. The third row was less comfortable for adults due to limited legroom. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading challenging for shorter individuals, and small-item storage was limited, with the exception of a spacious center console bin.

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 better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and a large head-up display, offering a wealth of information in a minimalist format.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, offering clear views from the camera system. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and a rearview camera mirror. The Armada Platinum trim included these features as standard. The analog tachometer and speedometer were functional, though the steering wheel lacked the sophistication found in other SUVs.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came 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 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 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it received a three-star rollover rating due to a 23.7-percent rollover risk. The Armada featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the Armada lacked advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist.