Compare the2022 Lincoln AviatorVS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Aviator have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Aviator are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Aviator and X3 xDrive30e have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Aviator has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X3 xDrive30e’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the Aviator and the X3 xDrive30e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the BMW X3 xDrive30e:

	Aviator	X3 xDrive30e
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	202 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	64 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	38%

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the BMW X3 xDrive30e:

	Aviator	X3 xDrive30e
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	224 lbs.	275 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	133
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	624 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Aviator the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X3 xDrive30e has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Aviator 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3 xDrive30e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 xDrive30e ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Aviator’s warranty.

Reliability

The Lincoln Aviator’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X3 xDrive30e’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Aviator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 112 more horsepower (400 vs. 288) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 206 more horsepower (494 vs. 288) and 320 lbs.-ft. more torque (630 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (18 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Aviator’s standard fuel tank has 7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (20.2 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Aviator has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Aviator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X3 xDrive30e.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Aviator’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X3 xDrive30e:

	Aviator	X3 xDrive30e
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Aviator has larger standard tires than the X3 xDrive30e (255/55R19 vs. 225/60R18). The Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 xDrive30e (275/40R22 vs. 245/45R20).

The Aviator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires. The Aviator’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the X3 xDrive30e’s optional 45 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Aviator has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X3 xDrive30e. The Aviator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the X3 xDrive30e.

The Aviator has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the X3 xDrive30e; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Aviator has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Aviator’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Aviator’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the X3 xDrive30e (119.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Aviator is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the X3 xDrive30e.

The Aviator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the X3 xDrive30e’s (47.6% to 52.4%). This gives the Aviator more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 xDrive30e (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Aviator Grand Touring/Lincoln Black Label uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Aviator has standard seating for 7 passengers; the X3 xDrive30e can only carry 5.

The Aviator has 43.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 xDrive30e (144.7 vs. 101.4).

The Aviator has .4 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3 xDrive30e.

Cargo Capacity

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3 xDrive30e.

	Aviator	X3 xDrive30e
Third Seat Folded	41.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	27.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	77.7 cubic feet	59.4 cubic feet

Towing

The Aviator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3 xDrive30e’s (5600 vs. 4409 pounds).

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Aviator uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Aviator has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Aviator’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Aviator’s exterior PIN entry system. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Aviator has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 xDrive30e only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Optional air conditioned the front and second row seats keep the Aviator’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Aviator (except Standard) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3 xDrive30e.

The Aviator has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The Aviator is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.