2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

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 chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid showcased a dramatic new design with sharp, angular cues and a unique grille that blended seamlessly with the LED lights. The interior was spacious and airy, with a dual-level cargo floor and ample legroom. The Limited trim added ambient lighting and a host of tech features, making the cabin both functional and stylish.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in 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 configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although the vehicle's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator was best suited for highways and cul-de-sacs, with a drive mode selector offering options like "Excite" and "Conserve."

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, powered by a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine and an electric motor, delivered a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power well, and the responsive steering and outstanding suspension made for a balanced and smooth ride. The Tucson Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined, with the Blue trim level slightly better at 38 mpg across the board. A plug-in hybrid version was expected to offer even better efficiency.

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, was particularly comfortable. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, despite its larger footprint, offered 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The dual-level cargo floor and ample front and rear legroom made it highly functional. The Limited trim's ambient lighting added a touch of flair to the cabin, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto presented well on the screen. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and easy-to-read information.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid's 10.25-inch touchscreen looked great with native software but only utilized about 8 inches for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, requiring a wired connection. The touch-capacitive buttons for infotainment and HVAC controls were less user-friendly, but the Tucson offered plenty of USB ports and a Bose premium stereo in the Limited trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard 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 earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and unique features like the blind-spot view monitor and remote smart park assist. The Tucson earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.