Compare the2024 Land Rover DiscoveryVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

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

Both the Discovery and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Discovery’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Aviator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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 Discovery’s reliability 22 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 Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 5 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Lincoln.

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

Both the Discovery and the Aviator have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Discovery’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Aviator Grand Touring doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Discovery has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Discovery has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator’s standard fuel tank (23.8 vs. 20.2 gallons).

The Discovery has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. 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 Land Rover Discovery higher (7 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5 to 7). This means the Discovery produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Discovery’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

For better traction, the Discovery’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (285/40R22 vs. 275/40R22).

The Discovery’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 60 series tires.

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

The Discovery offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Aviator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The front and rear suspension of the Discovery uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Aviator, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For greater off-road capability the Discovery has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (11.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Discovery to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Discovery is 4.2 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the Discovery easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Discovery has 1 inch more third row headroom, 4.3 inches more third row legroom and 1.1 inches more third row hip room than the Aviator.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Discovery when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The Aviator doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

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

The Discovery’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (5925 vs. 5600 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Aviator is only 5600 pounds. The Discovery offers up to a 8200 lbs. towing capacity.

Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is standard on the Discovery, using the Dynamic 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.

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

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Discovery 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Discovery offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Aviator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Discovery is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Discovery has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lincoln doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Aviator.

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