2022 Lexus GX vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition catered to enthusiasts of the black-on-black aesthetic. This edition arrived with a Black Onyx finish that effectively erased almost all chrome from the GX’s exterior, creating a brooding, dark aesthetic that felt like a rolling black hole. Despite the visual impact, this SUV's design showed age, sharing much in common with its first-generation predecessor from 2002. Signature Lexus design elements like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights were among the few features modernizing its look. The Lexus's cabin maintained a high level of quality and refinement, characterized by smooth, finely crafted materials, and it remained remarkably quiet, save for the soft hum of the V8 engine. Prices for the GX 460 ranged from $56,700 to $66,210, with the Black Line Special Edition starting at $60,535.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator embodied a modern and sleek design, particularly praised for the successful execution of the modern Lincoln face. The test model was a fully-loaded Black Label Grand Touring, featuring sophisticated lighting sequences that acknowledged the presence of a key fob with a welcoming illumination. Light-touch door handles, soft-close doors, and ambient lighting further enhanced the luxurious feel. Inside, the Aviator's cabin was a visual feast with rich caramel-hued leather seats contrasting a predominantly black interior. However, the plethora of materials and details might have felt a bit overwhelming for those preferring a simpler design. The chrome detailing occasionally felt cheap despite the overall high-end appearance. Prices for the Aviator ranged from $53,340 to $91,225, with our test model's sticker totaling $91,225.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 packed a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, facilitating a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. A six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system contributed to an acceleration time of 7.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Despite its heavy curb weight of 5,126 pounds, a relatively high drag coefficient of 0.35 meant the Lexus managed only 16 mpg in combined driving. Features like the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability, especially on off-road terrains. While refined and comfortable for daily drives, the GX had slow and heavy steering and a touchy brake pedal, which made handling a bit more challenging.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, being a plug-in hybrid, offered impressive performance with a combined output of 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor and accompanying battery added substantial weight but contributed to a significant power boost and a pure electric driving range of 21 miles. In Normal driving mode, the Aviator demonstrated effective fuel management, achieving 24.3 mpg over a mixed drive. Various driving modes such as Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, and Excite allowed the Aviator to adapt to different driving conditions for maximized efficiency and performance. Though the Aviator boasted a dynamic handling package with an adaptive-damping suspension for a smooth ride, its steering was heavy and numb, making it less engaging to drive despite its power.

The Lexus GX’s interior featured a commanding driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and excellent visibility. Its design catered to maneuverability, being tall, narrow, and short, but interior access and space utilization were problematic. The second-row seats offered good comfort and heating, but entering and exiting the rearmost row was difficult, and the third row itself felt cramped and unsafe for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was meager at 11.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.7 with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down — less room than many compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4.

Lincoln prioritized comfort and convenience with features in the Aviator like four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and the highly adjustable Perfect Position front seats with massaging functions. While the second-row captain’s chairs offered considerable luxury, the third-row seats were less accessible and comfortable, suitable mainly for children or short trips. Lincoln provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet — fairly comparable but more spacious than the GX.

The 2022 Lexus GX stepped up its game with a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, bringing Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation support, alongside a still-present traditional CD player. The interface was approachable and improved upon previous iterations, but the placement of its stereo controls was less intuitive, often causing confusion with the off-roading controls. The system's voice recognition was reliable, earning a nod over newer but less effective systems in other Lexus models. Additionally, features like Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras were available, albeit with a relatively modest tech suite overall.

Lincoln packed the 2023 Aviator with a host of modern technologies, spearheaded by a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the older Sync 3 software, which was sometimes frustratingly inaccurate. Despite a revolutionary steering wheel voice command button, the system struggled with certain voice commands and often returned incorrect or irrelevant results. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided a superior listening experience, while other features like wireless charging and Phone As A Key technology offered convenience. Digital instrumentation, a capable head-up display, and comprehensive parking aids rounded out the Aviator's tech package.

The 2022 Lexus GX, at its core, was architecturally dated with no crash-test ratings. However, the standard Lexus Safety System+ offered valuable features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams, as well as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The absence of more modern driver-assistance technologies might be a disappointment for some, though it offered a straightforward driving experience without intrusive aids.

Lincoln’s Aviator came equipped with an array of advanced safety features under Co-Pilot360 collections. Our test model included adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, and evasive steering assist. The technology generally performed well, although the lane-keeping system occasionally hugged the inside lane markings in curves. The approach to steering wheel controls for these systems added unnecessary complexity. The Aviator earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA for non-hybrid models.