2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. It carried forward the sharp design language of the Navigator, characterized by crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin filled with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the air of class and luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, utilizing a Parametric Pixel design that gave it a concept car feel. The interior, however, was mellow and comfortable, featuring sustainable materials and a "Living Space" theme. The cabin offered a zero-gravity "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and used recycled fibers and bio-materials for various components, emphasizing eco-friendliness.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator offered smooth acceleration but struggled with body roll in corners and tight spaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range had a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants featured a 168-kW rear motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD models had a dual-motor system with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various terrains, with four drive modes and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative properties.

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 trim, offered captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a 118.1-inch wheelbase. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space. The cabin featured a moveable center armrest, a modern take on the front bench seat, and comfortable leatherette seats. The design emphasized usability and comfort, with multiple exit strategies and supportive seating.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and large icons for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and crisp graphics.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted next-generation high-voltage technology with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging infrastructures and could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and anti-glare.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including 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 marks from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, with blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I offered machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also had a head-up display with augmented reality overlays. While safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks.