2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Nissan Murano

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 old alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's range, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its tapering roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The cabin was plush, with leather extending to areas like the dash and door panels, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. Unique touches included a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior and dash design remained conservative, focusing on comfort for commutes and road trips. The restrained cabin styling meant controls were intuitively placed, minimizing the learning curve. The Murano's trims ranged from the base S to the top-tier Platinum, each adding progressively more features. The base S included essentials like dual-zone climate control and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added luxuries like leather upholstery, heated seats, and a Bose premium stereo system. The Platinum trim topped the range with a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and premium leather seats.

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 V6 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 RWD or AWD, and the PHEV being AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth, confident acceleration and better fuel efficiency, with a combined 23 mpg and a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving experience was refined, with an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel. Fuel economy for the conventional V6 was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for RWD, and slightly lower for AWD.

The 2021 Nissan Murano was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a CVT, offering standard FWD or optional AWD. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, making it great for city driving, though the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano's ride was comfort-focused, with refined driving characteristics that balanced cornering ability and bump absorption. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, lower than many midsize and even some compact SUVs.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain’s chairs were highly comfortable, while the power-closing third row was best for short trips or children. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space. However, some controls, like the seat adjustments and door handles, were overly complicated. The 30-way seats with a massage function were a highlight, but the door-release mechanism was confusing and potentially problematic in emergencies.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While this was less than some competitors, the Murano excelled in ease-of-use, with a traditional shifter design and a center console full of trays and cubbies. The Murano prioritized two rows of seating, providing ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seats even had partial reclining functionality, enhancing comfort.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, making it user-friendly for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and a large head-up display provided essential information in a minimalist, unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout and hard buttons for easy navigation. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with available upgrades like an 11-speaker Bose stereo system and navigation.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator included standard safety features like front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered advanced driver-assistance systems, including 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 2021 Nissan Murano came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.