2021 Dodge Durango vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the temptation to mimic its competitors. It carried forward the successful styling of the Navigator, featuring sharp lines and chrome accents that enhanced its luxurious appearance. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrated into the elegant center console. The unique piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's luxurious feel, setting it apart from its Ford counterpart.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, consistent with the Dodge family. The Durango SRT Hellcat model, in particular, showcased a bold design with a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The interior featured a new instrument panel and a choice between an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The Durango's cabin offered a range of upholstery options, from cloth to Laguna leather, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky touch. The updates to the dashboard brought a modern look, aligning it with Dodge's muscle car lineup.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. 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. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth driving experience, although the Aviator's long wheelbase made it less agile in tight spaces. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango came with four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. The V6 produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter V8 offered 360 hp. The 392 HEMI V8 delivered 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the SRT Hellcat model produced an impressive 710 hp. The Durango's performance was characterized by smooth shifts and responsive acceleration, although its chassis showed its age on rough roads. The SRT models included SRT Performance Pages for track enthusiasts, offering configurable drive modes and performance data.

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 a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel enhanced passenger comfort, although the power-button door releases raised concerns about battery failure.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, and the third row was more accommodating than many competitors. With 21 seat options, the Durango provided ample customization. Its cargo space was average for its class, but the Durango's fit and finish had improved significantly, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and easy-to-read information.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's higher trims boasted a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the new Uconnect 5 system, offering faster performance and greater personalization. The system included features like Amazon Alexa connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD player added to the Durango's appeal for families, although the analog speedometer's design posed challenges for precise speed reading.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like 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.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's standard safety features were limited to a rearview camera and federally mandated equipment. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, but many competitors offered these as standard. The Durango received a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, but front crash testing results were pending.