2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge, Volvo's electric variant, featured subtle distinctions such as a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also boasted a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a slightly altered rear bumper, and a unique Sage Green Metallic color. The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet luxurious, with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that integrated elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen seamlessly.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a distinct design philosophy, avoiding the temptation to mimic its competitors. It carried forward the successful styling of the Navigator, with sharp lines and chrome accents that enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a center console that elegantly rose to meet the 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's interior was further distinguished by its piano button shifter and soothing chimes, contributing to an air of class and luxury. The various trims offered a range of features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to the luxurious 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system in the Black Label trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 achieved the same in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort over performance, with excellent ride quality and the capability for one-pedal driving.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped 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 an electric-only range of 21 miles. The Aviator offered smooth acceleration and a drive mode selector with options like “Excite” and “Conserve.” While it excelled on highways, its long wheelbase made city driving and tight maneuvers challenging.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, despite its compact size, offered clever storage solutions to compensate for its limited space. The interior featured a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and large door bins thanks to the relocation of the Harman Kardon system's speakers. However, the XC40 Recharge had less legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in terms of interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided ample cargo space, with 18.3 cubic feet 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 model, offered luxurious features like captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. The gasoline models retained the previous infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and redundant controls. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons for easy navigation. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received top safety ratings, including a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, capable of future updates for advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with safety features, including the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.