Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Aviator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X5 and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 BMW X5 is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

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

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Aviator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Aviator.

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 X5’s reliability 55 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium 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 BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 29 more horsepower (523 vs. 494) than the Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lincoln only offers a regenerative brake system on the Aviator Grand Touring.

The X5 has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 20.2 gallons).

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Aviator doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The X5 stops shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Aviator (265/50R19 vs. 255/60R19).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Aviator’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Aviator doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Aviator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lincoln doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Aviator.

The X5 xDrive handles at .84 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Aviator AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The X5 is 5 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Aviator with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 18.3 cubic feet).

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Aviator’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (5952 vs. 5600 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Aviator is only 5600 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Aviator, the X5 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Aviator doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the X5’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

When the X5 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Aviator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.