2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its rivals' 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 standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the timeless cool of its predecessors while embracing modern design elements. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with diamond-plate patterns. The interior emphasized exposed structure with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious, and the digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were crisp and clean. The Defender's interior felt authentic and thoughtfully designed, with real metal and leather surfaces.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available 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's drive mode selector included "Excite" and "Conserve" modes, making it well-suited for highways and cul-de-sacs but less composed in city driving.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and 35.4 inches of wading depth. On-road, the Defender was quick and comfortable, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, which could be increased to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. With all rear seats folded, the Aviator offered a total of 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. 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 ever died.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension for enhanced on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered a jump seat option for three-across seating in the front and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 provided 34-34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door Defender 90 had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape format of the screen 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 and multiple muted colors.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with multiple camera views available for off-roading. The Defender also offered a range of audio system upgrades, including Meridian sound systems, and a new full-color head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard driver assistance features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including front airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in harsh conditions.