Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Prime. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the Rav4 Prime 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Prime the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Aviator last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Aviator.

There are over 80 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Prime’s warranty.

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 Rav4 Prime’s reliability 51 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 10th.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the Aviator Grand Touring running on electricity (105 city/84 hwy vs. 54 city/58 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Prime running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

The Rav4 Prime can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 42 miles. The Aviator Grand Touring has to start its internal combustion engine after only 21 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 Prime uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Aviator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Rav4 Prime higher (7 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5 to 7). This means the Rav4 Prime produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

The Rav4 Prime 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.

The Rav4 Prime XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Prime SE’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (36.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet). The Rav4 Prime XSE’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Toyota Rav4 Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1350 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The Rav4 Prime is 1 foot, 6.4 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 Prime is 6.6 inches narrower than the Aviator, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume than the Aviator with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 18.3 cubic feet).

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Rav4 Prime, using the Vehicle Stability 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.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard locking fuel and charge port 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 Rav4 Prime’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by over 18 to one during 2022.