2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. 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 featuring soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a piano button shifter. The soothing chimes and massaging front seats in the Grand Touring trim added to the air of class and luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older Subaru models. The interior was fresher than the smaller Crosstrek, especially with the 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. Quality materials and ample storage options were evident, with the Onyx Edition XT featuring water-resistant StarTex upholstery. The exterior styling remained smooth and plain, with high ground clearance and chrome flourishes, making it a practical alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, 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, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The Aviator excelled in highway driving but struggled with body roll and maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, had a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain was underwhelming, especially when the vehicle was fully loaded. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant performance boost. The Outback's handling was squishy, but its ride comfort and off-road capability were impressive, thanks to its high ground clearance and Subaru's legendary AWD system.

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 a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel in the Grand Touring trim added to the comfort and functionality. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about potential issues if the battery died.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76 cubic feet with them folded. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions. The Outback excelled in storage options, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets in the front center console. However, some essential features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape layout that made for a natural user experience. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display (HUD) added to the tech-savvy feel.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Subaru EyeSight, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, was also standard. The single large screen on higher trims was more cohesive and useful than the dual-screen setup on the base model.

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 reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.