2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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 modern look. Inside, the Aviator offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that elegantly dominated the dashboard. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the vehicle's unique charm, while various trims provided a range of features from synthetic leather upholstery to massaging front seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 combined elements from other Genesis models with its own unique flair. It featured quad LED headlights, a large grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a sleek yet rugged appearance. The Sport Prestige model added character with its unique styling elements, including 21-inch wheels and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, although base models had leatherette seats.

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. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 21 miles. The Aviator excelled in highway driving but struggled with city maneuverability due to its size and body roll in corners.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included features like a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty nature. However, the chassis lacked sharpness, and the steering was not precise enough for spirited driving. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row was particularly comfortable, featuring captain's chairs and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. While it didn't lead the segment in space, it offered adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. The interior design compromised storage space, but it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear graphics, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, offering a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. It included a glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner, and advanced rear-seat monitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with 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 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. While crash-test ratings were not available, the GV70 impressed with its smooth control inputs on highways.