2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which was available in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was a top-of-the-line model with a luxurious and sophisticated design. It featured a lighting sequence that acknowledged the presence of the keyfob, electric light-touch door handles, and soft-close doors. Inside, the cabin was adorned with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. The materials were mostly high-end, with soft and supple leather and a swanky simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome detailing on the switchgear felt cheap, and the key fob was lightweight and plasticky.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 20.5 mpg. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had an off-road traction control system with hill descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, generating an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated 21 miles of electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite. During testing, the Aviator averaged 24.3 mpg over 94.7 miles, with 34.8 miles covered on electricity. The Aviator's handling was commendable, but it lacked the fun-to-drive factor, and the brake pedal produced inconsistent behavior.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third-row seats were best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, and captain's chairs were available. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring prioritized comfort with a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. The Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo room with the third-row seat in use, 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded flat, and 77.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

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, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran Lincoln's old Sync 3 software, which had limitations in voice recognition. The Aviator also featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, Phone As A Key digital key system, digital instrumentation, and a comprehensive head-up display. The front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were useful, but the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 collections of driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle had features such as 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 driver assistance buttons on the steering wheel were fussy, and the lane-keeping system had issues in curves. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.