Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2025 Lincoln Aviator

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-90 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the CX-90 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 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Aviator is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 16 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Aviator doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-90 higher (6 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5). This means the CX-90 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Aviator (265/55R19 vs. 255/55R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Aviator (122.8 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .82 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry up to 7.

The CX-90 has .4 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more third row legroom than the Aviator.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CX-90 Premium’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Aviator doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

When the CX-90 Turbo S 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 Mazda CX-90 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost two to one during 2023.