2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, capturing its rugged spirit in a more compact, suburban-friendly package. It featured a modern retro design with short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, making it suitable for trail driving. The bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with minimal Ford branding, emphasized its unique identity. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a focus on functionality and convenience, offering a range of seating and trim options from cloth to leather, depending on the model.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator embraced a distinct luxury aesthetic, avoiding imitation of its competitors. Its sharp design was characterized by crisp lines and chrome accents, reminiscent of the larger Navigator. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to its luxurious feel. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each offering progressively more luxurious features, including advanced seating options and premium sound systems.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator's Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims were powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator offered smooth acceleration and a drive mode selector with unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," though it was more suited for highway driving than city maneuvering.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active lifestyles in mind, offering cargo space capable of accommodating two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It featured over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear and a roof capable of holding up to 150 pounds. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The interior provided ample storage compartments, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for added comfort. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a unique feature, though they raised concerns about functionality if the battery failed.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included multiple G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Higher trims included additional tech features like a 360-degree camera and heated steering wheels.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and large icons for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The infotainment system was complemented by redundant controls in the center stack, enhancing usability.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with built-in traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like automatic emergency braking 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 NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.