2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (and its replacement, the Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. This shift signaled a more authentic approach, distinct from import brands. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's lineup, 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's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in less obvious places, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were similar to previous versions. However, the interior was fresher, especially in trims above the base, which featured a bright, sharp 11.6-inch portrait display. This display, standard on Premium and above trims, was surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, with contrasting leatherette on upper trims. The Outback's quality was evident, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Onyx Edition XT featured gray and black StarTex upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical design. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, and a few chrome flourishes. The Outback's standout feature was its lifted wagon design, offering a great alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

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 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 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 Grand Touring's hybrid system provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg, a 21-mile electric-only range, and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving experience was refined, with an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined for RWD, and 17, 24, 20 for AWD.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant improvement in power and refinement. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The Outback's handling was squishy, and its steering imprecise, but it excelled as a long-distance cruiser with a comfortable ride and high ground clearance of 8.7 inches. Subaru's electronically-variable AWD system was proactive and effective, with X-Mode optimizing performance for tough conditions. The Onyx Edition added driving modes for snow and mud, making the Outback highly capable off-road.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain’s chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but best suited for kids on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the 30-way seats with a massage function, which required navigating a touchscreen menu. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be confusing for passengers. A manual door release was available but only for the driver’s door.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, higher than many trucks, allowing it to go anywhere without the drawbacks of being oversized. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of intrusive elements. Headroom and legroom were ample, and the seats were comfortable and supportive. Outward visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and lots of glass. Storage options included large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only standard on higher trims. The Outback's best feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, which could be swiveled and locked in place within seconds. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive and useful.

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 lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system looked dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. The central screen in the instrument panel was even worse. Despite this, the system included modern tech like adaptive cruise control with four settings, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

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 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with a driver’s knee airbag and passenger seat-cushion airbag as standard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. Rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were available on specific trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with the IIHS awarding it a "Top Safety Pick+" and the NHTSA giving it an overall five-star rating.