What are you looking for in your next SUV? Tradition or luxury? That's what we put up against each other when we compare the 2023 Ford Explorer to the 2023 Lincoln Aviator. These both may be SUVs, but other than the basic perks of owning a seven-seater, the similarities don't last very long when you get down to it. This guide is going to help you make the right financial choice for your budget when comparing these two very different SUVs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- More standard entertainment and safety features are offered with the Aviator.
- The Aviator offers a plug-in hybrid engine with battery charging; the Explorer offers a gas/electric hybrid engine.
- Both seat seven passengers very comfortably.
HOW THESE SUVs ARE DIFFERENT
Let us get this out of the way first: pricing. The Lincoln Aviator belongs to a class of SUVs that are better defined as a midsize luxury, while the Explorer is not in that class. It's meant for outdoor exploration as its name suggests. That means the main difference between these two is that the Explorer is going to come with all the features you need to safely transport passengers and cargo reliably. The Aviator is going to do the same, but also go above and beyond with luxury features and materials that may not be useful to you, or even worth the extra price tag.
You won't have to stress about getting your SUV too "dirty" in the Explorer, it can handle it. However, if luxury city drives and long highway road trips in comfort are what your days look like - it's hard to get any better than an Aviator. Also, simply if you have a specific budget in mind for your family - the Explorer is going to be the more affordable choice, starting at an average of $36,700 and the Aviator starts at $53,300.
ENGINE AND POWER: EXPLORER VS. AVIATOR
The standard engine for the Explorer is a 2.3-liter, V4 with 300 horsepower, a great engine for any job with a towing maximum of 5,600 pounds. A few years ago, the Explorer released its hybrid engine that now compares to the gas savings the Aviator’s engine offers. The Second tier motor is a 3.3-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine with 318 hp and its hybrid engine still offers all the horsepower potential a gas-operated one does. The Aviator offers a powerful standard engine with 400 horsepower and a 3.0-liter V6. The second-tier engine for the Aviator is their take on the hybrid, with a 100-hp electric motor and 13.6-kWh battery. Combined with the standard powertrain, that's a total of 494 horsepower. The Aviator can go quite a distance off its battery before switching over to the gas engine. The main difference is that you're going to have to make room in your garage or driveway to plug your Aviator in at night.
ARE THE ADDED FEATURES IN THE AVIATOR WORTH IT?
Surprisingly enough, the Explorer shares much of the same entertainment and technology as the Aviator. Naturally, the Aviator is listed with more in its standard options, while you may have to travel across the Explorer's different trims to find the same. However, we have found that if you want all the benefits of features on a budget - the Explorer does a much better job of looking out for you by including the necessities. It comes with forward collision warnings, pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts, and the list goes on. These are the best standout features the Explorer offers that the Aviator does as well. The Aviator just sides on the aisle of luxury more with its added entertainment features, such as its massive 12-inch infotainment display, standard leather upholstery, heated seats, and heated steering wheel. The Aviator also comes standard with a driver attention monitor and the Explorer does not.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND FOR MOST BUYERS
There's no denying that the Aviator is a great luxury SUV, but the Explorer is going to be the modest, most affordable choice for just about any family. You're going to find a lot of similar features between these two cars, and unless you're looking for a battery powertrain - the Explorer is going to cover all your bases each day you drive it.