2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Lincoln successfully carried over the sharp, chrome-accented design language from the Navigator to the Aviator, making it one of the few modern cars that benefited from heavy use of chrome. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the air of class and luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 INFINITI QX80 combined Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. While the body-on-frame construction and basic body shell were shared with the Armada, the QX80's front-end styling was distinctly Infiniti, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. The interior, though luxurious with wood trim and leather upholstery, closely resembled the Armada's design. Despite some shared elements, the QX80 maintained a properly luxurious feel, though it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might seek.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator excelled in highway driving but struggled with body roll in corners and tight city maneuvers.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with 4WD available for an additional $3,100. The QX80's independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control provided a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The QX80 excelled in highway driving but felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll. Its body-on-frame construction offered advantages in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

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 down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, was particularly comfortable. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a seven-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs and an optional eight-seat configuration. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, though the front seats lacked thigh support. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room even in the third row. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The center console's dual-opening feature was handy, but overall storage space was limited.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape layout that was more natural than the Explorer's tall screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons that utilized the entire screen. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Despite the array of analog controls, the user interface was confusing, requiring multiple inputs for simple tasks. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features, enhancing visibility and ease of driving.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with standard safety features, 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 the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. These features were standard, unlike many other luxury brands.