Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota bZ

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was a luxurious take on the Ford Explorer, offering a premium feel with its rear-wheel-drive unibody platform. Its exterior design was elegant, featuring a long dash-to-axle ratio, a slightly raked profile, and large 20–22-inch wheels. The reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewelry in the shape of the Lincoln logo, was flanked by LED headlights. The sides were subtly sculpted, with an “Aviator” badge adding a touch of class. The interior, especially in the Black Label trim, was the main attraction, offering a range of curated designs with high-quality materials. The Invitation theme, for instance, featured Savannah leather with brown contrast stitching and open-pore Khaya wood trim, showcasing top-notch material quality.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, offered a choice between single-motor front-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive, with two battery sizes. The XLE Plus, with its larger battery, provided added power and range. The exterior design was improved, with body-color trim enhancing its appeal. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control functions. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The bZ was equipped with fabric seats featuring an upscale pattern, and the vehicle offered a comfortable and quiet ride, though it struggled with mid-range passing power and handling on winding roads.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was designed for comfort, with a focus on ride quality over handling. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, and its transmission shifts were consistently smooth. The suspension system, featuring adaptive dampers, provided a forgiving ride, though it resulted in considerable body lean through corners. The optional Air Glide suspension offered additional control and was worth considering for those seeking enhanced handling. The Aviator also came with a Class III trailer tow package, capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different powertrain options depending on the trim and battery size. The XLE with front-wheel drive and a 57.7-kWh battery delivered 165 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. Upgrading to the 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 horsepower and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 horsepower, with varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ could be recharged quickly using a DC fast charger, and it was compatible with Tesla Superchargers. Efficiency tests showed the bZ performed better than EPA estimates in certain conditions. However, it lacked one-pedal driving capability, and its handling was hindered by the all-season tires and lifeless steering.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a range of seating configurations and comfort features. The base Premiere trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Black Label trim added a 30-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with massagers and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Aviator could seat up to seven, though the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 16.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, provided easy access with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, and the Limited trim offered ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. The tech suite included the Lincoln Digital Experience, with access to apps like Google Assistant. Standard features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added a head-up display and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, while the Black Label offered a high-end Revel 28-speaker system.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The tech suite included several connected service plans, with Drive Connect powering the native navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. The voice assistant performed well, though the system's readability in daytime mode was criticized.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, which included features like forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was effective but had limitations in construction zones. The Aviator received high safety ratings, with a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it lacked a rating for its headlights.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech highly, but its headlights received a Poor rating, and it earned Acceptable ratings in frontal-impact crash tests.