Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. However, the Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and a grille that leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle's interior mirrored the Wagoneer’s design but elevated the experience with high-end materials and additional convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, as well as heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator was a midsize SUV that exuded a modern luxury feel, particularly in its Black Label Grand Touring trim. The Aviator's design was highlighted by its Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric door handles, and ambient cabin lighting, which created an inviting atmosphere. Inside, the Aviator was lavishly appointed with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, and chrome accents, although some details, like the chrome switchgear, felt less premium. The Black Label Flight theme added a rich caramel hue to the perforated leather seats, contrasting with the otherwise black interior. The Aviator's cabin was mostly high-end, with soft leather and a simulated suede headliner, although some elements, like the key fob, felt less luxurious.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. This setup provided 10 inches of ground clearance and enabled the Grand Wagoneer to tackle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The ride was generally smooth, but at higher speeds, the vehicle felt bouncy, and the steering was imprecise.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. The Aviator offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. It featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing the powertrain to switch between electricity and gasoline for optimal efficiency. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with an adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension, managed the vehicle's added weight well, providing a flat and predictable cornering stance. However, the drivetrain's responsiveness was inconsistent, and the brake pedal required careful attention for smooth stops. Despite its commendable handling, the Aviator was not particularly engaging to drive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum cargo capacity was 94.2 cubic feet, slightly less than its rivals. The vehicle had a towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, and standard features included a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

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 spacious and supportive, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. 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 at maximum capacity. The Aviator's interior was designed for luxury, but its third-row space was not suitable for adults.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 system, while feature-rich, was occasionally slow to respond.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and a WiFi hotspot. However, it ran on the older Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was exceptional, and the vehicle featured wireless charging and a Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were clear and effective, and the surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a suite of standard safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and forward-collision warning. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and evasive steering assist. The driver aids performed well on highways but were less reliable in dense traffic. The Aviator's steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complex. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the Grand Touring model had not been rated.