2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a choice between a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and a hybrid variant. The standard engine, available in the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring trims combined the twin-turbo V6 with 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, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The top-tier Black Label Grand Touring model, with an optional $750 paint job, had an MSRP of $91,225. The Aviator was a stylish three-row, midsize SUV, though the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain.

The Aviator Black Label Grand Touring featured the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric light-touch door handles, and soft-close doors, enhancing its luxurious feel. Inside, the cabin was opulent, with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. However, some chrome detailing and stitching appeared cheap, and the key fob felt too lightweight and plasticky. Despite these minor drawbacks, the interior materials were mostly high-end, with soft leather and a simulated suede headliner. The Aviator's Phone As A Key technology offered a modern convenience, though care was needed to avoid pinching fingers with the electronic door latches.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, ranging from the sub-$30K RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, with two off-road-friendly trims in between. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims retained the two-part face design introduced in 2019. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and beefier black cladding around the wheel arches. However, it was more of a poseur than a true off-roader. The interior of the Adventure trim included orange accents, a frameless rearview mirror, and a relatively basic center console.

The RAV4 offered fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims, with synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery in the XLE Premium trim. The higher trims featured heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all but the base trim. The RAV4's interior was practical, with a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. The cargo space was competitive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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 at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. Despite adding over 800 pounds to the curb weight, the Aviator offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. Various driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowed for different powertrain configurations. 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 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg, demonstrating the efficiency of its hybrid technology.

The Aviator's performance was powerful but sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent acceleration and braking behavior. The standard Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension helped manage the added weight, providing a smooth and stable ride. However, the Aviator was not particularly fun to drive, even in the Excite mode, due to its heavy and numb steering. It excelled in providing a quiet, isolating, and smooth-riding experience, making it ideal for highway cruising rather than spirited driving.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided adequate performance, it was not particularly exciting, and the noise level was noticeable. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came with standard AWD, while other trims offered AWD as an option, adding a Snow Mode. The RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models were exclusively AWD.

The RAV4 Adventure trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and a standard suspension setup, while the TRD Off-Road trim had 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension. The RAV4's performance was more suited to everyday driving rather than off-road adventures, with the Adventure trim being more of a rugged-looking option rather than a true off-roader.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like 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 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered exceptional comfort, though finding the perfect setting required some effort. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console providing storage and controls for the panoramic sunroof's shade. However, the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, making it unsuitable for adults. With the third-row seats 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 the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers, offering 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the rear with the moonroof. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row. While the RAV4 provided ample headroom and legroom, the back seat was narrower compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The RAV4's interior featured practical storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. The cargo space was competitive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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 a navigation system. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition and point-of-interest database accuracy. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided excellent sound quality, and the warning chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra added a unique touch. The Aviator also featured 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, though the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 received a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The updated software supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Our RAV4 Adventure tester had the upgraded multimedia system, including the 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim and optional for the TRD Off-Road trim.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with various driver aids, including 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 steering wheel controls for these features were unnecessarily complicated. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 included standard safety features like lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The 2023 RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.