2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design. It retained certain Genesis styling features like the split headlights and large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury-car style, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Electrified GV70, recognized as the 2024 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a shiny grille housing the charge port for convenient charging. Inside, the GV70 featured a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

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 the design was appealing, 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 classic architectural sensibility, avoiding an overload of screens while still being technologically advanced. The remote keyless entry fob, however, was criticized for its cheap plastic construction. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring options like Whisper Blue paint and a centre console between second-row captain’s chairs. The Reserve 201A package added features like upgraded exterior lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn’t match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar dynamics to the gasoline version, despite being heavier, and offered adjustable regenerative braking for one-pedal driving.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with 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 driving modes like Excite, Conserve, and Normal, with an optional adaptive air suspension firming up in Excite mode. Despite its power, the Aviator wasn’t particularly exciting to drive, focusing instead on comfort and composure. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, though fuel economy was observed at 13.3 L/100 km, higher than the official rating. The Aviator offered clear sightlines and a 360-degree camera for parking, but the ride quality suffered on rough surfaces due to the large 22-inch wheels. The adaptive air suspension helped control body motions, ensuring a composed ride, but the Aviator’s driving character didn’t encourage spirited driving.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It provided 818 litres of cargo space with rear seats up, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats yielded 1,611 litres, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode added to the luxury experience.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured Perfect Position front seats with 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, offering exceptional comfort. Second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive, though the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. Storage space was excellent, with a centre console featuring a smartphone charging pad and deep door panel pockets. The Aviator provided 466 litres of cargo space with the third row in use, expanding to 1,131 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres. Despite some limitations in third-row comfort, the Aviator offered practical storage solutions.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster on lower trims, and a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect on higher trims. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller offering a high-quality feel. A fingerprint scanner allowed for individual driver profiles, though digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It included Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The Aviator featured an Elevated Journey app with mindfulness coaching and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system. The head-up display provided comprehensive data, including blind-spot warnings, though improvements could be made to display these warnings without requiring a turn signal.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA published four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. A more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were standard, with BlueCruise providing hands-free driving assistance on approved highways. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover rating, and Good ratings from the IIHS. BlueCruise was praised for its proactive nature, though improvements could be made to blind-spot warnings in the head-up display.