2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was a standout in terms of design, with its sharp lines and generous use of chrome, which added a touch of elegance and luxury. The exterior styling was a continuation of Lincoln's successful design language, first seen in the Navigator, and it worked well for the Aviator. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, distinct from its Ford Explorer counterpart. The interior was characterized by soft-touch materials, chrome accents, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that dominated the dash. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's luxurious feel, making it a unique offering in the midsize luxury SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its value proposition. The exterior featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, giving each trim a unique character. Inside, the Santa Fe moved upmarket with new colors, patterns, and textures, especially in the Calligraphy trim, which boasted premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The bridge-style center console and 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel added a high-tech feel. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, offered a sense of luxury that belied its price, making it feel like a bargain for the quality and features provided.

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 in the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims took it a step further with a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid setup allowed for up to 21 miles of electric-only driving. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. However, its long wheelbase and heft made it less agile in tight spaces and city driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided three new powertrains, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims. The hybrid models combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor, producing 226 hp. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Smart, with the latter focusing on fuel efficiency. The Calligraphy trim offered improved structural rigidity, braking, and handling, making it a refined and athletic SUV. Both powertrains achieved a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg, with the turbo engine being more efficient on the highway.

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 died.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, lacking a third-row seat, offered ample passenger room and comfort. The Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner, elevating the interior's luxury feel. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, USB ports, and sunshades. The Santa Fe provided 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The smart hands-free power liftgate was convenient but could be unintentionally activated.

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

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch head-up display. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with upgraded voice-recognition technology. Blue Link connected services were free for three years, providing a range of features, though a WiFi hotspot was absent. The Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist added convenience and innovation to the Santa Fe's tech offerings.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with safety features, including the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package with 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 earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive array of safety features, especially in the Calligraphy trim. The forward-collision warning system included pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance. Safe Exit Assist and rear-occupant alert systems provided additional safety for passengers. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist enhanced driving confidence. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS with LED projector headlights.