2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

Mazda executed the concept of premium with the 2020 CX-5 by focusing on captivating style, compelling substance, and continual product improvement. This model year saw enhancements such as more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and control markings to elevate the cabin's appearance. Additionally, modifications were made to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The turbocharged engine received a torque boost, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. Prices ranged from $25,190 to $37,155, with the test vehicle in Signature trim costing $38,680, including destination charges.

The CX-5's design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale. The interior, especially in Signature trim, featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing the contrast that often enhances a premium look.

Lincoln's 2021 Aviator stood out by not emulating its rivals' styles. The Aviator, carrying over from the 2020 model, featured sharp lines and chrome accents, making it one of the few modern cars that benefited from heavy chrome use. Inside, Lincoln differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen dominating the dash. The piano button shifter, soothing chimes, and various trims added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each adding more luxurious features. The Grand Touring trim, tested, included a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and the Elements Package Plus, which added heated and ventilated front seats and massaging Multi-Contour Seats. The rear seat area featured multiple USB ports, power outlets, and a digital panel for rear settings, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, generating 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. Despite its 3,825-pound curb weight, the turbocharged CX-5 accelerated with authority, though it was less efficient, averaging 22.1 mpg in testing.

Mazda's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced the driving experience by stabilizing the SUV during cornering. However, the CX-5's high center of gravity led to excessive body motions, making it less thrilling to drive compared to other Mazdas. Despite this, the steering and brakes were responsive, making the CX-5 enjoyable in typical driving situations.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims added an electric motor, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners.

The Aviator's drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. While the Aviator excelled on highways and in cul-de-sacs, it struggled to stay composed in city driving due to its long wheelbase and heft.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior, while stylish and upscale, was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Mazda focused on the CX-5's upscale cabin and generous standard equipment to offset this drawback. The interior featured classy gauges, metallic accents, and various comfort upgrades across trims, including dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and Nappa leather in the Signature trim. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's power-button door releases, while innovative, raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which, while upscale, required acclimation. The Sport trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added in the Touring trim. The Grand Touring trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system, while the Signature trim added navigation and a surround-view camera. Interaction with Mazda Connect was through the touchscreen, center console controls, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition, though the latter was often unreliable.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and featured a sensible menu layout. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with large icons making them easy to use. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics and muted colors.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the i-Activsense banner, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in individual testing parameters.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator also came well-equipped with safety features, including the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.