2024 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly in its two-door variant, which was more successful in capturing the nostalgic aesthetic than the four-door model. The Sasquatch Package, a notable upgrade, enhanced the Bronco's rugged appearance with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, giving it a wide stance and a purposeful look. Without this package, the Bronco's standard tires appeared awkwardly small within the fender flares. The Bronco offered nine trim levels, including the Raptor performance model, and a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, with prices ranging from $52,060 to $116,570 in Canada. The test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend trim with the Sasquatch Package, was priced at $69,780 and featured a marine-grade upholstery that was water-resistant but not breathable, making it uncomfortable in hot weather.

In contrast, 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. However, the 2025 styling appeared less elegant and more generic, especially with the optional Jet Appearance Package. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a traditional approach to technology, avoiding an overload of screens. The test vehicle, in Reserve trim with all-wheel drive, featured extra-cost Whisper Blue paint and several option packages, bringing its price to $96,295 in Canada. The Reserve 201A package added numerous desirable features, including upgraded exterior lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came equipped with a standard turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It offered a choice between a seven-speed manual transmission with a low first gear for rock crawling or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco's maximum towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms. An optional turbocharged 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine provided 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor model featured an exclusive 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft, boasting a higher tow rating of 2,040 kilograms. The Bronco's part-time four-wheel-drive system was standard, with an advanced system available as an upgrade. Off-roading technologies like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist enhanced its capability on challenging terrain. However, the Bronco's fuel efficiency was a concern, with a combined rating of 13.4 litres per 100 kilometres, and it averaged 13.9 L/100 km during testing.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The test vehicle's optional adaptive air suspension firmed up in Excite mode, but the Aviator's mission was more about comfort than excitement. The V6 engine provided ample power for acceleration and passing, but the observed fuel economy was 13.3 L/100 km, higher than the official rating of 11.9 L/100 km. The Aviator's sightlines were clear, and the 360-degree camera view was appreciated in urban settings. However, the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to the heavy 22-inch wheels and thin tires, generating noticeable road noise. The Aviator's adaptive Air Glide suspension effectively controlled body motions, ensuring a composed and calming ride.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, especially in the lifted Big Bend Sasquatch configuration, required some effort to enter and exit, particularly for shorter individuals. However, once inside, it offered comfort in both two-door and four-door body styles. The four-door model was roomier than its rivals, with no rollbar obstructing rear-seat passengers. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery, while water-resistant, trapped moisture, making it uncomfortable in wet conditions. The Bronco's two-door model featured a standard hardtop with removable roof panels, while the four-door had a standard fabric soft top with an optional hardtop. Cargo space was generous, with 634 litres in the two-door and up to 2,350 litres in the four-door with seats folded.

In the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, finding the perfect seating position in the available Perfect Position front seats took time, but the comfort was unmatched. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating, with low, flat cushions and limited legroom. Storage space was excellent, with a centre console featuring a smartphone charging pad and deep door panel storage pockets. The Aviator offered 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the third row folded and a maximum of 2,149 litres with all seats down.

The 2024 Ford Bronco featured a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and a seven-speaker stereo system. However, the system experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition performance. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information. The test vehicle's 8-inch digital instrumentation panel had a short learning curve but could be distracting to use while driving.

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

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Bronco received favourable ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance, and a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The reverse braking assist system required deactivation due to its sensitivity. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist worked well, and BlueCruise provided hands-free driving assistance on approved highways. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating its safety in collisions.