2021 Lincoln Navigator 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 cabin that exuded comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, while sharing its basic structure with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with a unique design and high-quality materials. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, chrome accents, and a light show when unlocking or locking the vehicle. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, and a floating center console. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious materials and textures, making the Navigator feel like a high-end vehicle.

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 and offered either 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 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although the Aviator's long wheelbase made it less maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered either RWD or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and its towing capacity was impressive at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, the Navigator's fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens. The suspension and steering were less refined than competitors, but the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power.

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, especially with captain's chairs, was the most comfortable, featuring a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. However, the power-button door releases could be problematic if the battery died.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space for six adults, with a total of 103 cubic feet of cargo space. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more, with 120 cubic feet of storage. The second-row seats were manually reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional console for climate and stereo controls. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. The infotainment system was intuitive but slow, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections. The drive mode animations were a nice touch, but the overall technology felt dated.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included 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 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 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models in rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were less advanced than competitors.