Compare the2022 Honda PilotVS 2021 Lincoln Aviator

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Aviator’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Pilot and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Pilot is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Pilot is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 42 percent more Honda dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

The engine in the Pilot has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Aviator have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Pilot’s reliability 45 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 21 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

On the EPA test cycle the Pilot gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Pilot’s fuel efficiency. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Pilot and the Aviator have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Pilots have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Pilot uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Aviator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Pilot has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Pilot stops shorter than the Aviator:

The Pilot has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Aviator doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Pilot (except LX)’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Aviator doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Pilot Elite 4WD handles at .83 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1350 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The Pilot has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry 7.

The Pilot has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (151.7 vs. 144.7).

The Pilot has .6 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom, 2.7 inches more third row legroom, 3.7 inches more third row hip room and 3.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pilot’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Pilot’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

The Pilot has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Aviator doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

When the Pilot is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Insurance will cost less for the Pilot owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pilot will cost $2820 to $8900 less than the Aviator over a five-year period.

The Pilot will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Pilot will retain 51.32% to 53.62% of its original price after five years, while the Aviator only retains 45.82% to 47.98%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Pilot will be $20646 to $37346 less than for the Lincoln Aviator.

The Honda Pilot has won recognition from these important consumer publications: