Compare the2026 Volvo EX40VS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

The EX40’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Aviator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The EX40 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the EX40 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The EX40’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Aviator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the EX40 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volvo will pay for 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.)

The EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors produces 2 more horsepower (402 vs. 400) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the EX40 Twin Motor electric motors is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the EX40 gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The EX40 can travel with zero emissions for 260 to 296 miles (dependent on model). The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the EX40’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The EX40 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage; 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 Volvo EX40 higher (10 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5). This means the EX40 produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

The EX40 stops much shorter than the Aviator:

The EX40’s standard 235/50R19 front and 255/45R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 55 series tires.

The EX40 Ultra handles at .87 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The EX40 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Aviator Reserve AWD (26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the EX40’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Volvo EX40 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The EX40 is 2 feet shorter than the Aviator, making the EX40 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EX40 has a much larger cargo volume than the Aviator with its rear seat up (18.9 vs. 16.5 cubic feet).

The EX40’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the EX40 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 EX40 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Aviator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the EX40 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 Volvo EX40 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Aviator.

The Volvo EX40/XC40 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by 7% during 2024.