Compare the2023 Lincoln AviatorVS 2023 Audi e-tron Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Aviator (except Standard) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Aviator’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Aviator and the e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 Audi e-tron Sportback:

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 Audi e-tron Sportback:

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

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (494 vs. 402) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (630 vs. 490) than the e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors.

The Aviator Grand Touring’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 471 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The e-tron Sportback’s range is only 185 to 225 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 10 hours and 30 minutes.

For better traction, the Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron Sportback (275/40R22 vs. 265/45R21).

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 e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Aviator’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the e-tron Sportback (119.1 inches vs. 115 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Aviator is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the e-tron Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the Aviator’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (39.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Lincoln Aviator may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 1000 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The Aviator (except Standard) offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Aviator has standard seating for 7 passengers; the e-tron Sportback can only carry 5.

The Aviator has 3.4 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Aviator’s middle row seats recline. The e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the e-tron Sportback.

The Aviator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron Sportback’s (5600 vs. 0 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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 e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Aviator (except Standard) offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Aviator (except Standard)’s optional Active Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Aviator owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Aviator will cost $2970 less than the e-tron Sportback over a five-year period.

The Aviator will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Aviator will retain 46.08% to 51.74% of its original price after five years, while the e-tron Sportback only retains 45.66% to 45.79%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lincoln Aviator will be $958 to $12300 less than for the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The Lincoln Aviator outsold the Audi e-tron by 59% during the 2022 model year.