2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC, which was later replaced by the Corsair. Lincoln's return to using real vehicle names instead of alphanumeric codes was a positive shift, signaling a move away from mimicking import brands. The Aviator featured a cohesive design language across Lincoln's lineup, with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline contributed to a boat-like aesthetic. 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. Lincoln aimed to evoke a sense of Golden Age luxury without overcommitting to a retro design language, a misstep seen in the brand's previous decade. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending to areas not typically upholstered, underscoring Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. Unlike the Tiguan and Atlas, the ID.4 featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, eschewing the rugged styling of its gasoline counterparts. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback, with Volkswagen opting to introduce the crossover to the U.S. market due to its popularity. While the ID.4 shared some design elements with the ID.3, it didn't quite resemble a traditional SUV, a common trait among many EV crossovers. The interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. Despite its unique design, the ID.4's interior was spacious, with good forward visibility, although rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family used in the Ford Explorer, Expedition, and F-150. The Grand Touring trim elevated performance by combining the V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was exclusively AWD. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in approximately 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth, confident acceleration, using electric power at low speeds to enhance the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were effective, though feedback was cushioned. The SUV featured an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic experience, but its 5,600-pound weight limited its agility. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg, respectively. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It marked the first RWD Volkswagen passenger car in the U.S. since the Beetle. An AWD version, featuring a second motor for the front wheels, became available later in 2021, increasing power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While not a performance vehicle, the ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made acceleration enjoyable, especially from a standstill. The AWD version offered more power for quick city driving and easy highway merging. Despite its performance potential, the ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 didn't emphasize regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, instead relying on friction brakes for a more familiar experience. This decision aimed to enhance efficiency through coasting and cater to drivers transitioning from gasoline vehicles.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row configuration, competed with models like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. While not all these vehicles were direct competitors, the segment was competitive. The Aviator's optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was suitable for adults on short trips but better for children on longer journeys. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, the Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments. The 30-way seats included a massage function, but their controls were split between a door-mounted panel and the center touchscreen, requiring some acclimation. The door-release mechanism was also unconventional, with a button instead of a traditional handle, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt more like a crossover compared to other EVs rather than gasoline models. It offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. Gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provided more rear headroom and legroom, but the ID.4 had more front headroom. With the rear seats in place, the ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Chevy Bolt EUV, but less than the CR-V and RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, or "frunk," prioritizing cabin space instead. Despite its dimensions, the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, though the console itself was narrow and low. Standard heated steering wheel and front seats efficiently maintained cabin warmth, though the driver's seat lacked thigh support, leading to an uncomfortable seating position.

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 orientation, allowing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to display across the entire screen with large icons and readouts. This setup provided an ideal interface for smartphone integration. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and a large head-up display, which presented information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 12-inch screen, and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most traditional controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads lacked tactile feedback, making them challenging to use without looking. This setup required drivers to relearn basic tasks, such as adjusting mirrors or lowering rear windows. Volkswagen included a natural-language voice-control system, activated by saying "Hello ID," to bypass the haptic controls. The system allowed for intuitive commands but was slow to respond. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information through color changes and flashes. While initially intriguing, it quickly became forgettable. Despite some gimmicky features, the ID.4's touchscreen was well-positioned, with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus, offering a choice between smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It also featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assistance systems that included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety technologies included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the RWD model. The AWD version had not been tested by NHTSA. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding effectively to acceleration and deceleration.