Compare the2026 Cadillac VistiqVS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Vistiq has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Aviator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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

A passive infrared night vision system standard on the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Aviator doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cadillac Vistiq’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Vistiq 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Cadillac Vistiq weighs 1464 to 1581 pounds more than the Lincoln Aviator. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

There are over 18 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Vistiq’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 215 more horsepower (615 vs. 400) and 235 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Vistiq is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the Vistiq gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The Vistiq can travel with zero emissions for 300 miles. The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

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

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

For better traction, the Vistiq has larger standard tires than the Aviator (285/45R21 vs. 255/55R20). The Vistiq’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (305/35R23 vs. 275/40R22).

The Vistiq’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 55 series tires. The Vistiq’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Aviator’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Vistiq has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator. The Vistiq’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Aviator.

The Cadillac Vistiq’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lincoln Aviator only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Vistiq can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Aviator doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Vistiq’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Aviator (121.8 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The Vistiq Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Aviator Reserve AWD (26.6 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Aviator’s (38.2 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Vistiq has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (145.6 vs. 140.6).

The Vistiq has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more third row headroom, 1.4 inches more third row legroom, .3 inches more third row hip room and .3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Aviator, the Vistiq has standard driver and 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.

The Vistiq’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, 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 Vistiq 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac Vistiq has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Aviator, and only charges one device.