2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinct styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic its competitors. It carried forward the sharp design language of the Navigator, characterized by crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin filled with 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 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic look with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. The Wrangler's interior was more utilitarian, with upright seating and minimal legroom. The seats were adjusted using ripcords, adding to its rugged charm. The Wrangler offered various trims, each with unique styling touches, but all retained the core elements that made it unmistakable on the road.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in 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. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 trim featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler's various 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, made it a formidable off-road vehicle.

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

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and the Freedom top hardtop. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with in-door cargo nets and drain plugs for easy cleaning. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The screen's landscape format made for a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard driver assistance 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 Jeep Wrangler offered optional driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.