2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The Acura MDX is a mainstay of the luxury SUV segment, and it covers the bases remarkably well. Its well-rounded nature is perhaps because it shares a platform with the Honda Pilot (another fantastic family hauler) but for that same reason, it doesn’t offer the same cachet as a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE. Whether you are on a road trip or heading to work, the MDX is comfortable, refined, and has space for the family and their gear. For 2024, there’s a new Type S Ultra trim level, bringing a new level of performance to the three-row, seven-passenger midsize luxury SUV. But as we’ll get into in a bit, the MDX is held back by a maddening infotainment system that could truly be a sticking point to overshadow all other positive attributes.

Verdict: The MDX is a beautiful, safe, and cost-effective luxury SUV, and the new Type S Ultra trim level delivers a higher level of performance. However, it doesn’t offer as much space as some of its competitors, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone easily frustrated by finnicky tech interfaces.

In the midsize three-row luxury SUV segment, the 2025 Aviator embraces the mid-century modern cues of the past while delivering a calm, unhurried sanctuary for the present. Yet starting in 2025, this Lincoln simultaneously contains some of the most advanced technology in its segment. Fresh styling and new thematic packages are also available. However, the previously offered plug-in hybrid model has not been reintroduced to the lineup, leaving a twin-turbocharged V6 as the sole engine option.

Verdict: Distinctive without resorting to polarization, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator is a compelling choice for people seeking a powerful, quiet, and comfortable luxury SUV. It’s been around since 2019, yet you can’t consider this Lincoln to be a relic thanks to its undeniable technological sophistication.