2025 Lincoln Aviator Model Comparisons
2025 Lincoln Aviator vs. Competitors: A Comprehensive Luxury Midsize SUV Comparison
The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is a three-row luxury SUV that blends elegance, technology, and performance to compete in the highly competitive midsize luxury SUV market. Rivals such as the Cadillac XT6, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class each offer their own mix of performance, technology, and comfort. This comparison explores how the Aviator stacks up against these competitors in key areas.
Trim Levels
The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with an additional Grand Touring plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for those seeking electrified efficiency. The Premiere model offers luxury features at a competitive price, the Reserve trim adds higher-end materials and advanced tech, and the Grand Touring model delivers electrified performance for enhanced efficiency.
The Cadillac XT6 is available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, focusing on modern styling and technology. The BMW X5 offers sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50e (PHEV), and M60i trims, catering to both efficiency-focused and high-performance buyers. The Buick Enclave has Preferred, Essence, and Avenir trims, with a focus on family-friendly features. The Acura MDX comes in Standard, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and Type S, emphasizing sporty handling and three-row practicality. The Audi Q7 features Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, blending German engineering with refined luxury. The Volvo XC90 is available in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, including mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The Genesis GV80 comes in 2.5T and 3.5T configurations, with an available three-row option. The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is offered in GLE 350, GLE 450, and AMG GLE 53 trims, delivering high-end materials and performance-oriented options.
Interior Comfort
The Lincoln Aviator prioritizes a serene and luxurious cabin, featuring available 30-way Perfect Position front seats with massage functions, premium leather upholstery, and open-pore wood accents. The Reserve trim adds even more high-end touches, ensuring a first-class experience.
The Cadillac XT6 has a modern but less premium interior compared to its competitors. The BMW X5 and Audi Q7 feature sleek, high-quality cabins with driver-focused layouts, while the Buick Enclave is spacious but leans more toward practicality than outright luxury. The Acura MDX and Genesis GV80 balance premium materials with sporty design elements, while the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes GLE deliver Scandinavian and German luxury aesthetics, respectively, with top-tier materials and refined layouts.
Drivability
The Lincoln Aviator delivers a smooth, composed ride, prioritizing comfort over aggressive performance. The standard twin-turbocharged V6 engine provides ample power, and available adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive improve handling dynamics. The Grand Touring PHEV model adds electrified performance while maintaining a quiet, refined ride.
The Cadillac XT6 offers a balanced but less engaging drive, while the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes GLE lead in performance and precise handling. The Buick Enclave focuses on family-friendly ride quality, while the Acura MDX’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) enhances agility. The Volvo XC90 and Genesis GV80 blend comfort with responsive handling, making them excellent choices for those seeking both refinement and dynamic performance.
Cargo Space
The Lincoln Aviator provides 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
The Cadillac XT6 (12.6/78.7 cubic feet) and Audi Q7 (14.2/69.6 cubic feet) offer less space than the Aviator, while the BMW X5 (33.9/72.3 cubic feet) and Mercedes-Benz GLE (33.3/74.9 cubic feet) provide more storage. The Acura MDX (16.3/71.4 cubic feet), Volvo XC90 (15.8/85.7 cubic feet), Genesis GV80 (34.9/84 cubic feet), and Buick Enclave (23.6/97.4 cubic feet) are all strong competitors in cargo space, with the Enclave offering the most storage overall.
Fuel Economy
The Lincoln Aviator’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 delivers 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model offers 56 MPGe and 21 miles of electric-only range.
The Cadillac XT6 (19/26 mpg), BMW X5 (23/27 mpg), Audi Q7 (21/26 mpg), and Acura MDX (19/26 mpg) have similar efficiency to the Aviator’s base engine. The Buick Enclave (18/26 mpg) and Volvo XC90 (22/28 mpg) offer slightly better fuel economy, while the BMW X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid (56 MPGe) and Volvo XC90 Recharge (63 MPGe) outperform the Aviator PHEV in efficiency.
Safety
The Lincoln Aviator comes standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offer Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.1, which includes hands-free highway driving with BlueCruise.
All competitors, including the Cadillac XT6, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, come with advanced driver-assistance features. However, only a few offer hands-free driving technology, giving Lincoln an edge. The Volvo XC90, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE lead in safety ratings and crash-test performance.
Technology
The Lincoln Aviator features a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, and an available Revel premium audio system. The Grand Touring PHEV model includes a unique energy-flow display for hybrid functionality.
The Cadillac XT6 has a 33-inch curved OLED display, while the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE offer iDrive, MMI, and MBUX infotainment systems, respectively. The Buick Enclave includes a Google-based system, while the Acura MDX uses the True Touchpad Interface, which some find unintuitive. The Volvo XC90’s Android-powered system integrates Google Maps and Assistant, and the Genesis GV80 offers widescreen displays with augmented reality navigation.
Conclusion
The 2025 Lincoln Aviator stands out for its refined comfort, advanced safety and technology features, and plug-in hybrid option. It provides a quiet ride, luxurious materials, and hands-free driving capability, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing technology and passenger comfort.
The BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE are better for buyers seeking sporty performance, while the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90 offer a balance of comfort and agility. The Cadillac XT6 and Buick Enclave provide solid luxury options at a slightly lower price point, while the Genesis GV80 delivers premium styling and technology.
For technology, comfort, and an effortless driving experience, the Lincoln Aviator is an excellent choice. Those seeking high-performance handling may prefer the BMW X5, Audi Q7, or Mercedes-Benz GLE, while the Volvo XC90 Recharge offers the best plug-in hybrid efficiency.
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