2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC, later replaced by the Corsair, in Lincoln's lineup. It marked a return to real vehicle names, moving away from the previous alphabet-soup naming convention. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's range, with elegant headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline added a boat-like aesthetic. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The interior was adorned with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, showcasing Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed timeless. Its upright stance, horizontal roofline, and steep tailgate gave it a substantial appearance despite its compact size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the design. Roof rails and wide-spaced letters spelling "Venue" at the back added to its appeal. The Venue's headlights were split into two pieces, and the taillights featured an intriguing pattern of triangles and diagonal elements. The 2021 model saw minor exterior updates, with 15-inch alloys replacing the base SE trim's steel wheels, and 17-inch alloys becoming standard on the SEL and Denim trims. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was the most stylish option. The SEL trim offered better value, with features like 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and advanced driver-assistance systems becoming standard.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring trim took it further by combining the V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's combination of electric and gas power provided smooth, confident acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The driving experience was refined, with an "Excite" drive mode for a more dynamic feel. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg, respectively. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD) as the only option. The Venue's performance was on par with competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and Toyota C-HR, although it was smaller and lighter. The Venue's slim weight allowed it to move sprightly through lower-speed areas, despite the modest power output. The absence of a turbocharger or larger engine options limited its performance, but the Venue's lightweight design made it feel lively when pulling away from a stoplight.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with vehicles like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but better suited for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's interior featured some confusing controls, such as the door handles and seat adjustments. The 30-way seats with a massage function were worth the effort to learn the controls. The door-release function was unconventional, with a button instead of a handle, which could be confusing for passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue provided ample headroom and legroom in the front seats, with decent storage space. A handy tray ahead of the gear selector and a tray for the front passenger offered convenient storage options. The center console's bin was small but functional. Automatic climate control effectively managed the Venue's small cabin. The back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer drives, although headroom was sufficient. Cargo space was limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 31.9 cubic feet with the seat folded. The Venue's cargo capacity lagged behind competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Toyota C-HR, and Ford EcoSport.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup allowed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be displayed across the entire screen, providing large icons and readouts. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display, offering a minimalist and unobtrusive way to present information.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue boasted an 8-inch touchscreen with high resolution and quick swipe functionality. Physical buttons below the screen provided easy access to media sources, navigation, and settings. The Venue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. The SEL and Denim trims offered a customizable starred button and driver profiles for personalized radio presets. The Venue's radio interface featured charming tube-amp-style bulbs for station numbers, adding a touch of nostalgia.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite offered driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue, despite its small size, offered a range of safety features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue's safety systems were seamlessly integrated, avoiding distracting alerts. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars in the NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as for rollover.