2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (later replaced by the Corsair), showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names, moving away from the old alphabet-soup naming convention. This shift was a positive sign, indicating Lincoln's unique identity rather than mimicking imports. 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, hinting at Golden Age luxury without overdoing it. The front seats were incredibly comfortable, using plush leather throughout, even in less obvious places, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. The Aviator also had unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, emphasizing Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, despite its high MSRP of $42,083, looked like a typical RAV4 rather than a fully-loaded model. It lacked the larger wheels of the non-hybrid Limited and didn't offer an Adventure trim level due to its electronic AWD system. However, the RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, needing only bolder wheels to complete the look. Inside, it was stylish, functional, and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastic. The test vehicle had a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate. The RAV4 Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front cushions, and decent rear-seat legroom. The dashboard was well-arranged, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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 RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving experience was refined, similar to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV. The Aviator had an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel, but its 5,600-pound weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the conventional Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined for RWD, and 17, 24, 20 for AWD.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid paired a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, generating 219 horsepower. The front electric motor produced 149 pound-feet of torque, and the rear motor generated 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid had several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. It weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, making it feel lively when accelerating, though the engine sounded unpleasant when revving. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg combined, and it averaged 39.7 mpg in testing. The CVT operated transparently, and the regenerative braking system was smooth. The steering was nicely weighted, and the suspension design maximized ride and handling qualities. However, the test vehicle's tires had low grip, affecting cornering performance. The RAV4 Hybrid was agreeable to drive, with a relatively flat cornering stance and favorable driving dynamics. It handled bumps and potholes well, and the XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension. The RAV4 Hybrid's 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Trail mode allowed for light off-roading.

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 for kids on longer trips. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator had some confusing controls, like the door handles and seat adjustments. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn. The door-release function was unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be confusing. A manual door release was available only for the driver's door, raising concerns in emergencies.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front cushions. The passenger's seat lacked height adjustment but didn't need it. Rear-seat legroom was decent, with good foot space and leg support, though the seat felt a bit low. The backrest reclined slightly, and air conditioning vents and heated rear cushions added comfort. The dashboard was well-arranged, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The premium sound system's subwoofer took up some space, and the all-weather mat was clunky.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, providing a better 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 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered several infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, all supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The top-shelf system included an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was flanked by shortcut buttons and anchored by stereo volume and tuning knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory. Toyota also offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with standard safety features, including 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 RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.