2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact 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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, elongated appearance, reminiscent of a luxury yacht. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats, hinting at a Golden Age of luxury without overdoing it. The plush leather extended throughout the interior, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles added to its luxurious feel.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek adopted a strategy of transforming the Impreza hatchback into a crossover, appealing to those seeking rugged looks and AWD. It featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This gave the Crosstrek an SUV-like character, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, it shared a design with other Subaru models, offering improved polish and refinement. The interior, similar to the Impreza, was functional but plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents. However, it featured water-repellant upholstery, making it practical for outdoor adventures.

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 elevated this with a plug-in hybrid setup, combining the V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a total of 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. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV 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 akin to luxury SUVs like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, though its 5,600-pound weight limited its agility.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims retained the 2.0-liter engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on lower trims, while a CVT was optional and standard on higher trims. All models featured AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. The Crosstrek's handling was predictable, though the higher center of gravity led to increased body roll. The new engine provided adequate acceleration, but the CVT's droning was noticeable. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek was better suited for on-road driving, offering a comfortable ride and low wind noise.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row seating, competed with luxury SUVs 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 suitable for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, it 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, requiring a learning curve. The 30-way seats with massage function were a highlight, but the unconventional door-release mechanism raised concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. While it surpassed some rivals in cargo space, it lagged behind others like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder system, though its effectiveness was debatable. Up front, a convenient cubby with USB and auxiliary ports was available, but rear passengers lacked USB access. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good, thanks to ample side glass.

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 head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist manner. The Aviator's tech setup was praised for its intuitive design and functionality.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, starting with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and offering an 8-inch version with navigation on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system was complemented by analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, ensuring ease of use. A secondary screen displayed redundant information, while EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons.

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 advanced 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 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in side crash tests. The 2020 model, nearly identical to the 2021 version, earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award. EyeSight driver-assist features, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert enhanced safety. However, EyeSight's camera placement limited functionality in certain conditions.