2021 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo was a striking vehicle, especially for those who appreciated black wheels. It featured exclusive shiny black 18-inch rollers, a shiny black grille, shiny black side mirror housings, and thick matte black body cladding. This combination gave the impression that a black Sharpie 44 Magnum had been used liberally before a more restrained design approach took over. Mazda claimed that the lower body cladding gave the CX-30 Turbo a light and agile appearance, as if the body was floating over the wheels. This effect made the CX-30 look like it was always cresting a sharp hill at speed, with the suspension fully extended.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin closely resembled that of the Mazda3, which was not a bad thing. Quality materials, complementary tones and textures, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces gave the CX-30 Turbo an upscale vibe. Changes to the cabin were minimal, with a chrome accent around the engine start button and a standard frameless rearview mirror. The SUV offered a choice between black and Griege leatherette upholstery, with black or white leather available in Premium and Premium Plus trims. Prices ranged from about $31,000 to $35,745, including a destination charge.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, which carried over from its 2020 model, was a sharp-looking vehicle defined by crisp lines and heavy use of chrome. Lincoln avoided emulating its rivals' styles and instead adopted the successful design language of the Navigator. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and a center console that rose elegantly to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Aviator's interior also featured a piano button shifter in the middle of the dash, which, while not as intuitive as a traditional shift lever, was laid out sensibly. The SUV's various soothing chimes contributed to its air of class and luxury. Trims included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring, each offering progressively more luxurious features. Our Grand Touring test model included adaptive headlights, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and Lincoln’s impressive Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the octane rating of the fuel. Torque measured 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm or 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. The SUV's six-speed automatic transmission, standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, front suspension tuning, and G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC-Plus) technology were all optimized for performance. The CX-30 Turbo's EPA rating was 25 mpg in combined driving, though we averaged 24.1 mpg.

Mazda engineers focused on delivering a satisfying driving experience rather than the fastest acceleration times. The CX-30 Turbo provided effortless acceleration, with hints of torque steer managed by the revised GVC-Plus technology and i-Activ AWD. The SUV's added height, weight, and tire sidewall section width made it less pleasurable to drive than the Mazda3, but its 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode compensated for this when driving off the highway.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain allowed for up to 21 miles of pure electric driving.

The Aviator's drive mode selector included modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting its suitability for highways and cul-de-sacs rather than performance driving. The SUV's long wheelbase made it awkward to maneuver in tight spaces, and there was noticeable body roll in corners. However, the Aviator provided a smooth and quick swell of power, making it a comfortable and capable vehicle for most driving situations.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo was exceptionally comfortable for the driver, with eight-way power adjustment and impressive long-distance support. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel was standard with Premium and Premium Plus trims. However, ventilated seats were not available, and the front passenger seat lacked the range of adjustment found in the driver's seat. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the back seat was cramped for adults.

Storage space was generous for a vehicle of this size, but the location of the optional wireless smartphone charger at the bottom of the center console storage bin forced a choice between storage and phone charging. The CX-30 Turbo offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row was particularly comfortable, with captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery ever died.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment-system display, operated using physical controls on the center console and steering wheel, or specific voice commands. While the system required acclimation, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided access to familiar digital assistants. Premium and Premium Plus trims included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Active Driving Display (head-up display) projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The screen's landscape format made for a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with large, crisp graphics.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The SUV came equipped with a full collection of i-ActiveSense advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive front lighting, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist.

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.