2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this tough persona with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. However, the interior showed its age with outdated technology and styling, featuring an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the hard plastic interior was typical for off-road vehicles, the cushioned panels and grained upholstery attempted to add a touch of comfort.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered a more modern and luxurious design, albeit with some generic styling tweaks. Its rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer provided classic proportions, though the optional Jet Appearance Package detracted from its elegance. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a focus on comfort rather than overwhelming technology. The interior featured plush materials and a more traditional approach, with a few technological hiccups like the oversized and cheaply made key fob. Despite this, the Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system offered modern conveniences.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive with rivals like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel efficiency. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. Its soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided ample acceleration and swift passing capabilities, though fuel economy was a concern, with an observed 17.7 mpg. The Aviator offered various driving modes and adaptive air suspension, but its focus was on comfort rather than excitement. The SUV's ride quality was generally pleasant, though larger road imperfections were felt due to the heavy 22-inch wheels and thin tires. The Aviator excelled as a composed and calming cruiser, with its adaptive Air Glide suspension ensuring a secure ride.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior was functional but dated, with easy-to-use controls and excellent outward visibility. Front passengers enjoyed ample space, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's reach lacking. The second row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner provided 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks. The sliding glass rear window and 5,000-pound towing capacity added practicality.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator prioritized luxury and comfort, with its Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustability, 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. The Aviator excelled in storage space, with a well-organized center console and deep door pockets. Cargo capacity was 19.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 78.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Aviator's interior was thoughtfully designed, though the absence of side window sunshades was a surprising omission for a luxury SUV.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system was basic, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured its quality. Additional terrain controls were available, but their pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered a more advanced technological experience, with a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the available head-up display offered comprehensive data presentation.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. However, it scored three stars in rollover evaluations. IIHS ratings were similarly mixed, with "Good" scores for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included a full suite of safety features, though some alerts were overly sensitive.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in safety, with its standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Notable features included active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was also standard, providing a proactive approach to driver control. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.