2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC (later replaced by the Corsair) in Lincoln's lineup. It marked a return to real vehicle names, moving away from the previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons designed like piano keys. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2020 Subaru Outback aimed for incremental improvements while retaining its winning formula of utility, safety, and performance. Built on Subaru's Global Platform, the sixth-gen Outback boasted a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, with 90% new parts, delivered 182 horsepower and improved fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims, producing 260 horsepower. The exterior changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback introduced an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, along with innovative tech like DriverFocus, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness. The Outback was offered in seven trim levels, with the XT trims featuring the turbo engine and additional off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring trim combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV provided smooth, confident acceleration and a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The conventionally powered Aviator with RWD achieved 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version had slightly lower figures.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's upgraded 2.5-liter engine delivered 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over the previous year, with fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. The Outback's symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, both on and off-road. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode on the Onyx XT, the Outback was capable of handling various terrains, though it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows of seating, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was best suited for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with a massage function were a luxurious touch, but the door-release function was confusing for passengers, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, a station wagon, offered significant functional benefits, including ample passenger and cargo space, a low load height, and a lower center of gravity for better handling. It provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger interior volume. The Outback's design allowed for excellent visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The spacious interior accommodated taller passengers comfortably, and the overall proportions made the vehicle appear smaller from the outside, which was appreciated in a market where cars tend to grow larger each year.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, providing a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display offered a wealth of information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner. The Aviator's tech setup was praised for its ease of use and integration of modern features.

The 2020 Subaru Outback introduced a tablet-style, 11.6-inch touchscreen, which initially impressed with its size and layout. However, the system suffered from significant lag, affecting navigation, app usage, and even basic functions like volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. While the screen had potential, these issues needed addressing to meet modern standards.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite added forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's safety suite was impressive for its price, with standard AWD and features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, also had issues with deactivation in certain conditions, such as snow or direct sunlight.