2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its exterior maintained a traditional boxy profile, reminiscent of older models, yet incorporated contemporary features like angular headlights that aligned it with the current Land Rover lineup. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a rugged and adventure-ready cabin that felt more akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, albeit with a touch of luxury through soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims such as S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, equipped with the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, while standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator showcased a design that leaned more towards a sports wagon than a traditional SUV, with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline that contributed to its sleek silhouette. However, the 2025 styling updates made it appear less distinctive, especially with the optional Jet Appearance Package. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the overwhelming screens found in other models. The interior was plush, with electronic door releases and a focus on comfort rather than technological showmanship. The Aviator was offered in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with our test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring optional all-wheel drive, Whisper Blue paint, and a center console between the second-row captain’s chairs. The Reserve II Package added luxurious touches like 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options were available: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in towing, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender's off-road prowess was notable, especially in models like the Defender X, which featured an adaptive air suspension system and Terrain Response 2 system. Our P400 test model provided ample power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers, though it exhibited a slight lurch at low speeds.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Our test vehicle featured adaptive air suspension, which firmed up in Excite mode, though the Aviator was more focused on comfort than sporty driving. The V6 engine provided strong acceleration from a stop and swift passing power, though fuel economy was a concern, with an observed 17.7 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 20 mpg. The Aviator offered excellent visibility, aided by thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors, and the 360-degree camera view was appreciated in urban settings. However, the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to the heavy 22-inch wheels and thin tires, generating noticeable road noise.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration and body style. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row best suited for children, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. Our test model featured a practical cargo area with hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in comfort, with available Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive, though the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. Storage space was excellent, with a smartphone charging pad, tray for keys, and cupholders in the center console, along with deep door panel storage pockets. The Aviator provided 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.6 cubic feet. The test vehicle featured an optional console between the second-row seats, though side window sunshades were notably absent.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited the Defender's utilitarian persona. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup was complemented by home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience technology. It included Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant in our test vehicle struggled with voice prompts, though Apple CarPlay and Siri worked well. The Aviator featured an app called Elevated Journey, offering mindfulness coaching for the road. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the available head-up display offered a widescreen presentation of data.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, featuring active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. The reverse braking assist system was overly cautious, but adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist worked well. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering a proactive approach to driver control. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.