2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the common trend of mimicking competitors. It carried forward the successful styling of the Navigator, featuring sharp lines and chrome accents that enhanced its luxurious appearance. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, distinct from its Ford Explorer roots. The interior was marked by soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrated into the elegant center console. The piano button shifter added a unique touch, contributing to the Aviator's sophisticated ambiance. The soothing chimes for alerts further elevated the sense of luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 embraced a unique design as an electric vehicle, steering away from the traditional gasoline model aesthetics. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, giving it a distinctive look. The interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist style with a tech-focused design, using piano black and matte plastic elements. While the ID.4 offered more front headroom than some gasoline competitors, its legroom was average. The cargo space was competitive among EVs, though it lacked a "frunk" for additional storage. The ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility, but rearward visibility was hindered by thick pillars and a small back window.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque across the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. 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. This hybrid setup allowed for up to 21 miles of electric-only driving. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its driving experience. While it excelled on highways, the Aviator's size made city driving and tight maneuvers challenging.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor, producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It marked Volkswagen's return to rear-wheel drive in the U.S. with the ID.4. An all-wheel-drive version, introduced later in 2021, increased power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, it didn't offer aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 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, especially in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for added convenience. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked a "frunk," the interior felt spacious, with good front headroom. The ID.4's twist-grip gear selector freed up space on the center console, though storage options were limited. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating. The driver's seat, however, lacked thigh support, affecting comfort during long drives.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and easy-to-read information. The Aviator's infotainment system was praised for its sensible layout and large icons for connectivity programs.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) and a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster. Haptic touchpads replaced traditional controls, which proved challenging to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The natural-language voice-control system offered an alternative, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a futuristic touch but was easily overlooked. Despite some gimmicks, the touchscreen was well-positioned with easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring, as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and safety. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding effectively to traffic changes.