2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

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 tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it a sleek, boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork, exuding a sense of luxury without overdoing it. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons designed like piano keys, hinting at a Golden Age of luxury.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years prior, maintained a rugged and utilitarian design. While not conventionally attractive, its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches gave it a timeless and functional look. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition. Our test vehicle, the Trail Special Edition, featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and in line with the SUV's rugged mission. The dashboard was old-school, with big knobs and buttons, and a traditional key ignition.

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 a smooth and confident driving experience, using electric power at low speeds to enhance fuel efficiency. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned, offering a refined driving experience. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg rating, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a part-time 4WD drivetrain available. The Trail Special Edition did not offer automatic 4WD. The 4Runner's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds. On-road, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with heavy steering and brakes. However, off-road, it excelled, tackling mud, hills, and ruts with ease. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. Fuel economy was 17 mpg combined, with a highway rating of 19 mpg. During our week with the 4Runner, we averaged 16.8 mpg, giving it an average range of about 385 miles with its 23-gallon fuel tank.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator's three-row seating placed it in competition 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. However, some controls, like the seats and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn, but the door-release function was confusing and could be problematic in emergencies.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, making it challenging for shorter individuals to climb aboard without running boards. Once inside, the 4Runner offered comfortable seating with proper support in both the front and rear. The back seat provided ample legroom, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's sliding cargo deck could hold up to 440 pounds, though it reduced cargo volume. The back bumper served as a convenient place to sit for various activities. Depending on configuration, cargo space ranged from 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's big roof rack added to its cargo-carrying capabilities.

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 layout, providing a better interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had limited technology features. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The infotainment system's physical shortcut buttons and knobs were easy to use, even with gloves, and the voice recognition technology was effective.

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 Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Good" rating for roof crush strength from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, its protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision was rated as Marginal by the IIHS, and the NHTSA gave the front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash.