2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its rivals' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel. Trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each adding more features and luxury, such as upgraded leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50, in contrast, made a statement with its distinctive design and engineering. Its large honeycomb grille and athletic hood gave it a sporty look, while the rear featured a unique chrome strip. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin, which was spacious and comfortable with plenty of headroom and legroom. The Sensory AWD test vehicle came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a well-appointed interior with soft-touch materials and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The controls were user-friendly, and the traditional gear shift lever was a welcome feature.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's drive mode selector included options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its highway and cul-de-sac performance, though it struggled in city driving due to its heft and long wheelbase.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with a single powertrain option: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup delivered 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency. The CVT, while not perfect, had been refined over the years to provide a smooth driving experience. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional cost. The drive mode selector offered Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes, with Sport mode providing the most responsive performance.

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 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, was particularly comfortable with captain's chairs and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50, despite being a compact vehicle, felt spacious inside. It offered ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible cargo space. The cargo area provided 31.1 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 also featured numerous storage options and charging ports, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and user-friendly. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons that made navigation easy. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display (HUD) added to the tech-savvy interior.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with the InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual display screens (8-inch upper and 7-inch lower). It included voice recognition, navigation, and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the 16-speaker Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality. The QX50 also featured ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system that combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard 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 and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added lane-departure prevention and blind-spot intervention. The QX50 received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for crash protection.