2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering improved interior space and ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup, providing generous headroom and legroom. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by leather and suede upholstery that seemed more practical for off-road use. Even high-end models like the Defender 90 V8 mixed materials to handle mud and dirt better than traditional all-leather interiors.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models added a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with the top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model costing $91,225.

The Aviator's design was appealing, especially its modern Lincoln face. However, the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles added a touch of luxury, while the interior featured a mix of high-end materials like soft leather and a simulated suede headliner. Despite some cheap-looking chrome detailing and a bulky key fob, the Aviator's cabin was undeniably fancy, though it might have been trying too hard with its Art Deco-inspired design.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a new-for-2022 V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case.

The Defender's V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender also offered a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds, surpassing many similarly sized luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor and battery, generating 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated a 21-mile electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator achieved 22.3 miles on electric power alone, with a fuel economy equivalent to 163.4 mpg. Over a 94.7-mile journey, it averaged 24.3 mpg. The Aviator's drivetrain provided plenty of power, though it could be unpredictable, with inconsistent acceleration and braking behavior. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension helped manage its added weight, offering a smooth and quiet ride, though it wasn't particularly fun to drive.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering 11.4 cubic feet with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a shifter and climate-control knobs placed on a shelf extending from the dashboard, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes mounted to the side pillars.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort, featuring a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and automatic heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The massaging, 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, while the second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls.

However, the Aviator's third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, with limited kneeroom and legroom. With the third row in use, the Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen newly available for 2022. The system's graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system for off-roading.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. However, it ran the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition and point-of-interest searches. The Aviator also featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and the Phone As A Key digital key system.

Digital instrumentation and a comprehensive head-up display were standard, with front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aiding parking. The Active Parking Assist 2.0 system could park the Aviator in parallel and perpendicular spaces, though it required the driver to remain behind the wheel.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered various Co-Pilot360 driver aids, with availability depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the Grand Touring model had not been rated.