2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the common trend of mimicking competitors. Its sharp exterior, characterized by crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents, echoed the successful styling of the larger Navigator. Inside, the Aviator offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The unique piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the vehicle's upscale ambiance. Various trims, from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, provided a range of features, including leather upholstery, advanced climate control, and premium audio systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim with a blacked-out exterior, giving it a sporty appearance. The interior featured water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather in a gray two-tone scheme, complemented by metallic trim. While the Ascent's styling was modern, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable but limited option. The Onyx Edition's design aimed to attract younger buyers, but the lack of a premium sound system in this trim was a notable omission.

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 enhanced this with a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although the Aviator's size resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," catering to different driving preferences.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Its CVT and standard AWD contributed to a fuel economy rating of 22 mpg combined. The Ascent's flat-four engine design improved handling with a lower center of gravity. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and manual shift control allowed for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its responsive acceleration and nimble handling made it suitable for urban and suburban driving.

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 a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for added comfort. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery failed.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, and heated front seats, making it ready for winter conditions. The second-row seats were easily accessible, and the panoramic sunroof added to the cabin's spacious feel. Cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with all seats down.

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

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the system was easy to use, the voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. 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 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech was standard, though it faced challenges in direct sunlight and lacked refinement in adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and optional blind-spot monitoring.