Compare the2024 BMW iXVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The iX’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 iX’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the iX. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the iX 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 and available around view monitors.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 iX’s reliability 42 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Lincoln.

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

The iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produces 116 more horsepower (516 vs. 400) and 149 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The iX xDrive50’s electric motors produces 22 more horsepower (516 vs. 494) than the Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produces 116 more horsepower (610 vs. 494) and 119 lbs.-ft. more torque (749 vs. 630) than the Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW iX is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the Aviator running on electricity:

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

The iX can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 274 to 307 miles. The Aviator Grand Touring has to start its internal combustion engine after only 21 miles.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the iX’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 iX has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage; a locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW iX higher (10 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5 to 7). This means the iX produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

The iX’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s at 60 in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Aviator doesn’t offer launch control.

The iX stops much shorter than the Aviator:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator.

The iX M60 handles at .86 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The iX M60 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Aviator AWD (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the iX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (8.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The iX is 4.3 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the iX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume than the Aviator with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 18.3 cubic feet).

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.

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Aviator’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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

When the iX 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.

The iX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Aviator.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW iX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Grand Touring/Black Label offers wireless charging.

The iX’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Parking Assistant Professional will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Aviator (except Standard)’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the iX first among upper midsize premium 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.