Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a conservative yet blocky style, reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, boasted classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline. While its styling was appealing, the 2025 tweaks made it appear more generic. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a plush interior that didn't rely heavily on screens. However, the remote keyless entry fob was a disappointment, made of cheap plastic. The Aviator was available in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with prices ranging from $60,990 to $89,090. Our test vehicle, in Reserve trim, featured optional all-wheel drive, Whisper Blue paint, and several option packages, including Reserve II, Jet Appearance, and Dynamic Handling. The Reserve II Package added desirable features like upgraded exterior lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. At the top, the Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, generated 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. Both gas and hybrid engines were available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while the Hybrid Max was AWD-only. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was known for its size, making it less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander. While it didn't exhibit excessive body roll, the steering felt numb and disconnected. The brakes, however, were solid, and acceleration was adequate. Toyota offered three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD-equipped models.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose between Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions driving modes. The adaptive air suspension firmed up in Excite mode, but the Aviator wasn't particularly exciting to drive. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, but fuel economy was disappointing at 17.7 mpg. The Aviator offered clear sightlines, thanks to thin windshield pillars and large sideview mirrors. In urban settings, the ride quality was pleasant, but larger bumps and road imperfections were noticeable due to the 22-inch wheels. The adaptive air suspension couldn't entirely filter out road noise on freeways. The Aviator's driving character wasn't athletic, but the adaptive Air Glide suspension ensured a composed and calming ride.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. This extra length translated to increased storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. Behind the second-row seats, it offered 57.9 cubic feet, and with all three rows up, there were 20.6 cubic feet available. The Grand Highlander provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, making it comfortable for adults, even in the third row.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seats were less accommodating, with low, flat cushions and limited legroom. Storage space was excellent, with a center console featuring a smartphone charging pad, cupholders, and a sizable bin. 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. Maximum cargo capacity was 78.6 cubic feet.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant, available via a connected-services subscription, responded to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, along with a Wi-Fi Connect package for Apple Music and Amazon Music.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience technology. It supported Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant in the test vehicle struggled with voice prompts. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The available head-up display provided a widescreen presentation of data, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested or rated by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, offering advanced driver assistance systems like active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, with a four-year subscription. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from NHTSA and Good ratings from IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.