2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, presented a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its reputation for durability. The Adventure trim from the previous year improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system and multiple driving modes. The TRD Off-Road trim further elevated this with smaller, lighter wheels, all-terrain tires, and a TRD suspension setup, offering a versatile ride. The TRD Off-Road was distinguishable by its unique wheels, tires, and badges, while the interior featured TRD logos, rubber floor mats, and a mix of quality materials and inexpensive plastics. The RAV4 lineup ranged from the LE to the Limited, with the TRD Off-Road near the top, offering a blend of equipment and value.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 debut, showcased a sharp design with crisp lines and chrome accents, drawing inspiration from the Navigator. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself with a luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to its air of class. The Aviator's trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring, each offering increasing levels of luxury and technology. The Grand Touring trim, tested here, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Lincoln’s Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid variant offered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving, though it wasn't available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided adequate performance, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable at higher altitudes. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road. Despite averaging 23.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road excelled in urban environments and off-road trails.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of electric-only range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's size resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. The Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings, though it was less agile in city driving.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy access with well-positioned seating and an 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The SofTex upholstery, while comfortable, could trap sweat on hot days. The Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. The RAV4 provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A robust roof rack and optional hands-free power liftgate enhanced its utility.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 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 down. The Grand Touring model featured second-row captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The power-button door releases, while innovative, raised concerns about functionality if the battery died. The Aviator's interior offered ample space and luxury, particularly in the second row.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, though it suffered from glare. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot available. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was impressive, and the optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a natural layout and easy-to-use menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated, and the digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear, crisp graphics. The Aviator's technology package enhanced the driving experience with intuitive controls and seamless connectivity.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring advanced safety systems like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert. The RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though only with specific headlights. Toyota also offered a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services.

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