2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the temptation to mimic its competitors. It carried forward the sharp styling of the Navigator, characterized by crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, distinct from its Ford counterpart, the Explorer. The interior featured soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a unique piano button shifter. The soothing chimes and thoughtful design elements contributed to an air of luxury and class.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded elegance and class, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its exterior was a sporty adaptation of the classic Range Rover profile, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille. The Velar's interior was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite its stylish appearance, the Velar's interior space was tighter, and its design choices, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, raised usability concerns.

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. The Grand Touring 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 Aviator's size resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered unique options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Velar's air suspension provided a plush ride, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided ample cargo space, with 18.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expandable to 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel enhanced passenger comfort. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered limited interior space, with 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The stylish design compromised headroom and visibility. The lack of a discrete parking brake control was a significant drawback, and the new shifter design interfered with access to volume and climate controls.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape format screen provided a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display offered clear and easy-to-read graphics.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable features. The system included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation features. The instrument panel offered various display configurations, but the driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came 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 NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, but U.S. ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.