2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a piano button shifter. The soothing chimes and massaging front seats added to the air of class and comfort.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, featured a revised exterior design with a larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear received new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered a clean and efficient interior design with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and a panoramic moonroof. The SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery was standard, with Vernasca leather as an option.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, but the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners and awkward maneuverability in tight spaces. The drive mode selector offered "Excite" and "Conserve" modes, suitable for highways and cul-de-sacs.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 6 seconds. The M40i variant had a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i offered a more exhilarating drive with a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, and an adaptive suspension.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls added to the comfort. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered seating for five adults, with a standard 40/20/40-split rear seat. The cargo area accommodated backpacks and photography equipment, with a power tailgate and optional hands-free opening. The SensaTec seats were comfortable, with Vernasca leather as an upgrade. The redesigned center console featured a 10.25-inch infotainment system, with an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. The X3's sport seats were supportive, but the thigh-support cushion control handle could be intrusive for some drivers.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and easy-to-read information.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches. The standard 12-speaker HiFi sound system could be upgraded to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning. The Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, and active lane-keep assist.