Compare the2025 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2025 Lincoln Aviator

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota Grand Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the Grand Highlander 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Aviator. (Lincoln offers free mainteance on some Aviator models.)

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’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 Grand Highlander’s reliability 34 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 104 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 23rd.

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Aviator:

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

The Grand Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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.

The Grand Highlander offers an available 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 Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Aviator:

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

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry up to 7.

The Grand Highlander has 12.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (153.3 vs. 140.6).

The Grand Highlander has .5 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more third row headroom, 4.3 inches more third row legroom, 4.8 inches more third row hip room and 3.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Grand Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade’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.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Aviator doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

When the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum 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.

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

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Aviator has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Lincoln Aviator by over three to one during 2023.