2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the common trend of emulating competitors' styles. It carried forward the sharp, crisp lines and chrome accents that defined the Navigator, making it a visually striking vehicle. Inside, the Aviator offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that dominated the dash. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury, setting it apart from its Ford counterpart.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. The interior remained largely unchanged, with the Signature trim offering premium Nappa leather upholstery and real wood trim. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, enhancing the driving experience. Despite the lack of major interior changes, the CX-5 maintained its upscale appearance with polished metallic accents.

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. The Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid powertrain allowed for brisk acceleration and up to 21 miles of electric-only driving. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique options like "Excite" and "Conserve," catering to different driving preferences.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5 Turbo variant offered more power, with 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas. All CX-5 models featured standard all-wheel drive and a revised six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-5's driving dynamics improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings for a versatile driving experience.

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. With all rear seats down, it offered a generous 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel added to the Aviator's comfort and functionality. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about potential issues if the battery died.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new furnishings. The front seats offered improved comfort and support, while the back seat remained snug but featured heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, particularly the Mazda Connect infotainment system, required acclimation due to the lack of a touchscreen display. Cargo space was adequate, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape format of the screen provided a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, but it lacked touch-sensing capability and natural voice recognition. Users had to rely on center console and steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like 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 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured the i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.