Compare the2023 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Ascent 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 Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the Ascent and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

	Ascent	Aviator
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	26.3%
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	26 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	210	318
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	380/405 lbs.

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 Subaru Ascent is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

	Ascent	Aviator
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	65
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	86
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	346 lbs.	604 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	288

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ascent its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Aviator was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

Reliability

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 Ascent’s reliability 36 points higher than the Aviator.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 3 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Aviator doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Ascent
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
Aviator
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/24 hwy

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

The Ascent has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.3 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Aviator doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Ascent stops much shorter than the Aviator:

	Ascent	Aviator
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (38 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

Chassis

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1100 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

Passenger Space

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

The Ascent has 8.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (153.2 vs. 144.7).

The Ascent has .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more third row legroom, 5 inches more third row hip room and 3.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Ascent	Aviator
Third Seat Folded	43.5 cubic feet	41.8 cubic feet

Towing

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Ascent, using the Vehicle Dynamics Control 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.

Ergonomics

The Ascent 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.

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $2980 to $9120 less than the Aviator over a five-year period.

The Ascent will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ascent will retain 52.78% to 54.99% of its original price after five years, while the Aviator only retains 46.08% to 51.74%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $17584 to $37987 less than for the Lincoln Aviator.

Recommendations

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

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost three to one during 2022.

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