2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was a standout in the luxury SUV market, thanks to its distinctive design that set it apart from its competitors. Lincoln's decision to avoid mimicking the style of its rivals paid off, as the Aviator boasted a sharp, chrome-accented exterior that echoed the successful design language of the larger Navigator. Inside, the Aviator offered a cabin that exuded comfort and warmth, with soft-touch materials and a thoughtfully designed center console that housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's luxurious feel, making it a unique offering in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's design was more utilitarian, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. While its exterior styling was not particularly distinctive, the CR-V offered a practical and functional interior. The cabin featured angular seats and a choice of cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim level. Although the CR-V's design was not its main selling point, it provided a modern look with some upscale touches in higher trims, such as wood panels and chrome accents. Overall, the CR-V prioritized function over form, appealing to those seeking practicality in a crossover.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator delivered impressive performance with its standard 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims took performance up a notch with a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid setup allowed for up to 21 miles of electric-only driving. While the Aviator excelled on highways, its long wheelbase and noticeable body roll made city driving less composed.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid variants. Its acceleration was modest, taking about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration, though it lacked the engagement of a traditional automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear suspension, offered decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a spacious interior with 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, the Aviator provided a generous 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The second-row captain's chairs in the Grand Touring model added to the comfort, along with a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio settings. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, ranging from manual operation to a hands-free power tailgate in the Touring trim. While roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, the CR-V's interior space and cargo capacity made it a versatile choice for families and those needing ample storage.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the intuitive 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, easy-to-read information, enhancing the driving experience.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch screen, while other trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, featuring 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 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The Honda Sensing system, standard across all trims, included features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring, which became standard on the EX trim and above.