2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, and upgraded cloth and leatherette seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, which carried over from its 2020 model, featured a design language inspired by the Navigator. It had crisp lines and heavy use of chrome, making it a sharp-looking car. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter in the middle of the dash and soothing chimes for alerts added to its luxury feel. Trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring, each adding more luxurious features and options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It had a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and made considerable noise. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and better driving experiences.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available 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 Aviator offered robust acceleration and a smooth power delivery, though it had noticeable body roll in corners and was awkward to maneuver in tight spaces. The drive mode selector included unique names like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting its non-performance SUV nature.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats. It had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

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. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The use of power-button door releases was a potential issue if the battery died.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. It included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape format for a natural layout. The system was easy to use, with sensible menu layouts and redundant controls in the center stack. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics and multiple muted colors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, it lacked many standard driver safety features found in rivals.

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 marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.