Compare the2025 Lincoln AviatorVS 2024 Audi Q5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability

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 Aviator are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lincoln Aviator has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Q5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Aviator and the Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and available all wheel drive.

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 Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	284
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	215 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	44 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	34%

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Aviator is much safer than the Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

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 Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	224 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	185
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	817 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
Hip Force	573 lbs.	600 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	96
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	168	346
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.54 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	1249 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Aviator is 1.3% to 1.7% less likely to roll over than the Q5.

Warranty

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Aviator 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 75 percent more Lincoln dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Aviator’s warranty.

Reliability

The Aviator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Q5 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 18 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Lincoln higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Lincoln higher than Audi.

Engine

The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 199 more horsepower (400 vs. 201) and 179 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 236) than the Q5 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 142 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 273) than the Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 38 more horsepower (400 vs. 362) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 369) than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Aviator has 5.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Aviator has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 18.5 gallons).

The Aviator has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Aviator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Aviator’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Aviator stops much shorter than the Q5:

	Aviator	Q5
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Aviator has larger standard tires than the Q5 (255/55R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 (275/40R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The Aviator’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 Q5’s standard 60 series tires. The Aviator’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Aviator has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q5. The Aviator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q5.

Suspension and Handling

The Aviator’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Aviator’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the Q5 (119.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Aviator is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Q5.

The Aviator AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Prestige pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q5 55 TFSI e (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Aviator’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Q5 45 TFSI (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Aviator uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Aviator Reserve/Black Label uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Aviator offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Q5 can only carry 5.

The Aviator has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5.

Cargo Capacity

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the Q5.

	Aviator	Q5
Third Seat Folded	41.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	25.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	77.7 cubic feet	54.1 cubic feet

Towing

The Aviator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5’s (5000 vs. 4400 pounds).

While the Q5 55 TFSI e can only tow 2000, any Aviator can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

Standard 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 Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Aviator’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5.

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 Q5 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Audi Connect CARE can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Aviator’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 Q5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Q5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Aviator’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Aviator has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Q5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Aviator (except Premiere) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lincoln Aviator has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q5.

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 Q5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Aviator (except Premiere)’s optional Active Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Model Availability

The Aviator is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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