2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair, in the Lincoln lineup. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered, giving it an elongated look, and its low, wide beltline almost gave it a boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were elegant and sturdy, and the shifter buttons had a piano-key design. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn’t necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. The Aviator also had unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with a more SUV-like appearance. It featured a wide grille, LED headlamp arrays, and an assertive stance. The sliding side doors were nicely sculpted, and alloy wheels filled the arches, giving it a sleek look. Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines and a higher seating position than a sedan. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console housed the gear selector lever, cup holders, and a big storage compartment beneath the center armrest. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility and comfort.

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. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV provided a smooth driving experience with its electric power at low speeds. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, 20. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trim levels. The AWD system used a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, providing 54 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but lacked throttle response. The Sienna Hybrid had four selectable drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. Handling was improved with new front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension. The Sienna Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy, with FWD models rated at 36 mpg city, 36 highway, 36 combined, and AWD models at 35/36/35 mpg combined.

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. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space. The Aviator had some confusing controls, like the door handles and seat adjustments, but the 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort. The door-release function was also complicated, with a button instead of a conventional handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, making it easy to access the third row. The cabin had 16 cupholders and ample storage cubby space. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row. The hybrid battery was tucked under the front seats, not impacting cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated, responding to kick motions for easy access.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a landscape layout. The fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display provided a lot of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. It included a year’s trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a Premium Audio + JBL package with 12 speakers, Dynamic Navigation, and surround sound. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available. The driver enjoyed a color multi-information display and, in Platinum trim, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview 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, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System included enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Sienna had 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 2020 Sienna received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.