2022 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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

The 2022 GMC Yukon, particularly in its Denali trim, embraced chrome to create a commanding presence. The front grille, almost entirely made of chrome, gave the vehicle a unique look. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels and dark Redwood Metallic paint further enhanced its premium appearance. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight and available second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured exclusive interior designs with contrasting colors, unique stitching, and natural wood details, adding to its premium feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine on its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and up to 21 miles of pure electric range. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its driving experience.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with three engine options. The standard 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the Denali's 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. A new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, available on all trims except the AT4, offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, along with excellent fuel economy. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon's maximum towing capacity was 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine and Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim featured a 6.2-liter V8 with an 8,200-pound tow rating and an independent rear suspension for improved handling and ride quality.

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 down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, offered a luxurious experience. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 GMC Yukon addressed previous third-row space issues with a redesign, increasing third-row legroom to 34.9 inches and cargo space to 25.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats folded flat, and power-folding options made accessing the third row easier. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding center console with hidden storage and power-retractable assist steps. The pushbutton transmission controls, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen, required some acclimation but eventually became second nature.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display (HUD) provided clear and easy-to-read information. The HUD featured large, crisp graphics and multiple muted colors for a comfortable viewing experience.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center and a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, the largest in its class. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package added a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, 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 2022 GMC Yukon featured the GMC Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror enhanced safety further. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA but had not been tested by the IIHS as of this writing.