2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, which had been missing a three-row SUV. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Subaru family. The interior followed suit, with a dashboard design that mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for loyal customers. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering a range of features from driver-assistance technologies to upgraded touchscreens and premium audio systems.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, stood out by not mimicking its competitors. Its design was a continuation of the successful styling seen in the larger Navigator, featuring crisp lines and chrome accents that added to its sharp look. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious and comfortable cabin filled with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's unique features included a piano button shifter and soothing chimes for alerts, contributing to its air of class and luxury. The Aviator was available in five trims: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring, each offering a range of premium features and options.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While some might have preferred a premium engine option, the standard engine was sufficient for most driving scenarios, offering a comfortable ride and responsive handling. The Ascent's 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and X-Mode system made it capable in snowy conditions and light off-roading. It was also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its driving experience. However, its long wheelbase and noticeable body roll made it less agile in tight spaces and city driving.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While this was generous, some rivals offered more cargo space. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with an option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children on longer trips. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for storage.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, which increased to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available. The Aviator's second row was particularly luxurious, especially in the Grand Touring trim, which featured 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 died.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menu layouts and large icons. It came with either a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, both supported by hard buttons and dials. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and featured a sensible menu layout. The Aviator also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons that took up the entire screen. Additional tech features included a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics and multiple muted colors.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, known as EyeSight. This included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard safety features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included 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 features like reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.