2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Lexus GX

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 seats added to the overall sense of class and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition aimed for a sleek, monochromatic look, especially in Black Onyx. However, the GX's design felt dated, resembling its first-generation predecessor. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's reputation for quality with comfortable seats and physical controls. Despite the old-school switchgear, the GX offered a quiet ride, thanks to its refined V8 engine.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 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 trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator excelled in highway driving but struggled with body roll in corners and tight city maneuvers.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivered 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, the GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. Despite its hefty curb weight and high drag coefficient, the GX managed a combined fuel economy of 16 mpg. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability, but the slow steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the driving experience.

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 seats folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel added to the comfort and functionality. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about battery failure.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered a tall driving position and comfortable seats, but the narrow rear door openings made access difficult. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space, offering only 11.6 cubic feet behind it. With the third-row seat stowed, the GX provided 46.7 cubic feet, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The landscape layout of the screen and redundant controls made it user-friendly. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display (HUD) added to the tech-savvy experience.

The 2022 Lexus GX introduced a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the outdated Remote Touch Interface (RTI) touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. However, the placement of stereo controls below the off-roading controls was confusing. The dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition technology were notable features.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings due to its age but included the Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the GX missed some advanced safety technologies found in competitors.