2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials, chrome accents, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, inspired by the iconic Wrangler, featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and a seven-slat grille. Inside, it offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack. The Renegade came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment. The interior was designed for practicality, with controls within easy reach and plenty of storage solutions.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 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 configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain offered brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector included options like "Excite" and "Conserve," making it suitable for highways and cul-de-sacs but less composed in city driving.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided better performance and refinement, while the 2.4-liter engine was less spirited. The Renegade's solid ride quality and maneuverability made it a great city car, and the Trailhawk trim's off-road capabilities were impressive.

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 second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel added to the comfort and functionality. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about potential issues if the battery died.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom and decent legroom in both rows. The Renegade featured practical storage solutions and a fold-forward front passenger seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy experience.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on higher trims. Both screens ran the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its logical menu layout and easy-to-read graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, 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 Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.