2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored the classic Land Rover aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that defined its classic truck look. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices unmatched by other SUVs.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over opulence, with most of the interior coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. The steering wheel was reminiscent of an old Toyota, and the overall feel was more utilitarian than luxurious. However, the build quality and fit were excellent, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the Defender's price could reach as high as $120,000 for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, it remained a popular choice, with around 20,000 units sold annually, making it the second most popular model in Land Rover's lineup.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, offered a more modern and luxurious design. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine as standard, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Aviator Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models added a hybrid powertrain, combining the V6 with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing standard all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with the top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model reaching $91,225.

The Aviator's design was characterized by its successful execution of the modern Lincoln face, though the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric door handles, and ambient cabin lighting added to the luxurious feel. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring was undeniably fancy, with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. However, some chrome detailing and stitching were criticized for appearing cheap. The Aviator's key fob was also considered too large and plasticky, though the Phone As A Key digital key technology offered a modern alternative.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road performance, with its uncanny grip, incredible wheel articulation, and generous clearance. The air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, and the Terrain Response 2 system adapted the powertrain and chassis to the chosen surface. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the turbocharged four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, the six-cylinder 18/23/20, and the four-cylinder 17/20/18.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, as a plug-in hybrid, offered impressive performance with 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rated its electric driving range at 21 miles, with a combined 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing the powertrain to switch between electricity and gasoline for maximum efficiency. During testing, the Aviator achieved 163.4 mpg equivalent during electric driving and 24.3 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator's twin-turbo V6 provided plenty of power, though the drivetrain was sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal also exhibited inconsistent behavior, common with regenerative braking systems. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension managed the vehicle's weight well, providing a smooth and quiet ride, though it lacked the fun-to-drive factor.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass and panoramic moonroof provided excellent visibility, and cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort, with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, though the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering just 18.3 cubic feet, but expanded to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and adaptive cruise control.

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, and Alexa integration. However, it ran on the older Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator also featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and a Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were clear and easy to read, and the parking sensors and surround-view camera system were helpful for parking.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and evasive steering assist. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.