Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2022 Lincoln Aviator

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Yukon are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Aviator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Yukon (except SLE with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Aviator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Yukon 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Yukon 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

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

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Aviator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Aviator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 10 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon 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 Yukon V8’s fuel efficiency. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Yukon and the Aviator have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Yukon’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Aviator Grand Touring doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Yukon has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Yukon has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 20.2 gallons).

For better traction, the Yukon has larger standard tires than the Aviator (265/65R18 vs. 255/55R19).

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lincoln Aviator only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Yukon 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 Yukon has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Aviator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Aviator (120.9 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Yukon is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Aviator.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (10 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Aviator can only carry 7.

The Yukon has 23.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (168.3 vs. 144.7).

The Yukon has .8 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 4.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room, 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.3 inches more third row headroom, 5.7 inches more third row legroom, 8.5 inches more third row hip room and 8.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

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

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (7700 vs. 5600 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Aviator is only 5600 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Aviator can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Yukon, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.

The Yukon’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Aviator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

When the Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon third among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Aviator isn’t in the top three.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.