2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was more about subtlety than making a bold statement. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme, with slanted tailgate glass and pronounced body panel creases. The vehicle's styling was consistent with Toyota's design language, offering LED headlights and fog lights on all trims except the base L. The interior, however, was where the Highlander truly shone. It boasted quality fit and finish, with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator embraced a more distinctive and luxurious design. It carried forward the styling cues from the larger Navigator, with crisp lines and chrome accents that added to its sharp appearance. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself with a focus on comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The cabin was defined by its elegant center console and piano button shifter, contributing to an air of class and luxury. The Aviator's trims offered a range of features, from synthetic leather upholstery to massaging front seats, ensuring a premium experience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth acceleration, although it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it excelled in providing a calm and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. It offered a 10-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD. The Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The Aviator's drive mode selector included options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its versatility. While it provided brisk acceleration, the Aviator's size and weight were noticeable in corners, and it was best suited for highway cruising.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second row was versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Highlander's interior featured practical storage solutions, including shelves integrated into the dash and multiple cupholders. Controls were straightforward, with a user-friendly infotainment interface.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with all seats folded. The second row was particularly comfortable, with captain's chairs and a digital control panel for seat and climate adjustments. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a unique feature, though they raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure. Overall, the Aviator offered a spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system was functional but outdated, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that lacked detailed maps and onboard apps. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Highlander featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. Safety features like adaptive cruise control and road sign detection were standard, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Sync 3 infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape format. It offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics. These technological features contributed to a seamless and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its crash test performance and emergency braking capabilities.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.