2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-generation Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, although appearing similar to the 2019 model, featured 90% new parts. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus system used infrared monitoring to detect and alert sleepy or distracted drivers, adding a touch of luxury tech.

The Outback was offered in seven trims, starting with the 2.5i at an MSRP of $26,645, featuring LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added blind-spot monitoring, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed their non-XT counterparts but added the turbocharged engine, with prices at $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

Lincoln's smartest move with the Aviator was avoiding the temptation to emulate its rivals' style. The Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, featured a sharp design with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, Lincoln differentiated the Aviator from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash added a unique touch, and the soothing chimes for alerts contributed to the Aviator's luxurious feel.

The Aviator was available in Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring trims. The Standard trim included synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve trim added upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Grand Touring trim featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function. The Black Label trim included the Convenience and Luxury packages, with a head-up display and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. The Grand Touring Black Label added a Dynamic Handling Package and nearly every optional feature as standard.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and improved fuel efficiency at 26 mpg city and 33 highway. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, reducing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability. The Outback's approach, departure, and breakover angles were 18.6, 21.7, and 19.4 degrees, respectively, making it capable but not a Jeep-level off-roader.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to a larger interior, with ample legroom and headroom for passengers. The low load height and lower center of gravity improved handling and reduced rollover risk. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot. The Outback's design prioritized functionality and proportion, making it a practical choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The power-lift-and-lower third-row seats and a hands-free power liftgate added convenience. 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 power-button door releases were a unique feature, though their functionality in a dead battery scenario was a potential concern.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a user-friendly interface, though it suffered from lag and buried climate-control functions. The screen's large size and clear display were appealing, but the lag in navigation and other functions was a significant drawback. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall tech experience. Despite these issues, the system had potential if Subaru addressed the lag and camera quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The landscape layout of the screen was more natural than the tall layout in the Ford Explorer. The Aviator's screen displayed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with large icons, enhancing usability. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display (HUD) provided clear, easy-to-read information, contributing to a high-tech, user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback included a comprehensive safety suite with features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was overly sensitive and often triggered false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off unexpectedly. Despite these issues, the Outback's safety features were impressive for its price range.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.