2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Ford Bronco had been a long-awaited revival, with Ford teasing its return since 2004. The new Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV, heightened anticipation with its standard all-wheel drive and adventure-ready design. The original Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1996, was renowned for its off-road prowess and remains a favorite for customization. The 2021 Bronco drew inspiration from its predecessor, embracing a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy that melded classic aesthetics with modern technology. The Bronco's exterior featured a single-piece grille, round headlights, and bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, with options for 32-inch or 35-inch tires. The two-door and four-door configurations offered varying wheelbases and lengths, with a choice of a black soft-top or modular removable hardtop. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with contemporary tech, including a color touchscreen and digitized instrument cluster.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, introduced as a 2020 model, carried over its sharp design into 2021. Lincoln avoided mimicking rivals and instead adopted the successful styling of the Navigator. The Aviator's exterior was defined by crisp lines and chrome accents, creating a sophisticated look. Inside, the Aviator's cabin exuded comfort and warmth, with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen dominating the dash. The piano button shifter added a unique touch, and the Aviator's soothing chimes contributed to its luxurious ambiance. Trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each offering progressively more features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control to adaptive headlights and massaging front seats. The Grand Touring trim, in particular, stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain and impressive Multi-Contour Seats.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter was paired with a 10-speed automatic, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter. All Bronco models featured standard four-wheel drive. During a test drive in Holly, Michigan, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road capabilities in challenging conditions, including mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails. On pavement, the Bronco's 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package provided a noisy, wiggly ride, but the 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth power. Off-road, the Bronco excelled with its sure-footedness, traction, and balanced handling, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a standard 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft 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 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its highway and suburban driving experience. However, the Aviator struggled with city driving due to its long wheelbase and body roll.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's designers and engineers took inspiration from the marketplace, competition, and classic Bronco owners to create a modular and functional SUV. The Bronco featured removable doors with dedicated storage bags, easy-to-remove fenders and bumpers, and a one-piece front grille. The hood's trail sights doubled as tie-down points for roof-mounted cargo. Inside, the Bronco's center stack housed buttons for differential and suspension settings, while the overhead console featured toggle switches for auxiliary equipment. These thoughtful design elements made the Bronco highly adaptable and user-friendly for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 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 Aviator's 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 settings. However, the Aviator's power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in the event of a dead battery.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch standard touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch screen with the High Package. The G.O.A.T. system offered up to seven drive modes for various terrains. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated navigation, and wireless device charging. The Bronco also included push-button start, a rear-view camera, and position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers with the Sasquatch Package.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was user-friendly and featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator's fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear, easy-to-read information. The Aviator's infotainment system and connectivity options were well-integrated, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features varied by trim level. The Base model included airbags, while higher trims like Big Bend and Black Diamond added the Mid Package with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping system, and more. The High Package added a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot 360, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade from IIHS.