Compare the2026 Dodge DurangoVS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Durango has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Durango and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and front parking sensors.

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 Dodge Durango is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

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

There are over 5 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Durango’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 Durango’s reliability 23 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

The Durango R/T’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 75 more horsepower (475 vs. 400) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Durango V8’s fuel efficiency. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Durango has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator (24.6 vs. 20.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Durango 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.

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

For better traction, the Durango has larger standard tires than the Aviator (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R20). The Durango R/T Tow N Go’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (295/45R20 vs. 275/40R22).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Durango can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Aviator doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Durango offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Aviator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Durango has .1 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more third row headroom, 4.3 inches more third row legroom and 1.6 inches more third row hip room than the Aviator.

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

The Durango’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (6200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Aviator is only 5000 pounds. The Durango 4x4 offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Durango V8 4WD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Durango can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Aviator can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Durango’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Aviator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Consumer Reports rated the Durango’s headlight performance “Good” to “Very Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

When the Durango with available tilt-down mirrors 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.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Dodge Durango retains 50.72% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 45.62% resale value of the 2025 Lincoln Aviator after five years, which can save the Dodge’s owner up to $12474.6833 in depreciation.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Durango first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Aviator isn’t in the top three.

The Dodge Durango outsold the Lincoln Aviator by over two to one during 2024.