2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that contrasted sharply with the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of the Ioniq series. This new design direction, as explained by Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee, aimed to optimize storage capacity while maintaining an elegant and premium appearance. The Santa Fe's exterior was enhanced by a sophisticated palette of colours and anodized-finish badging, with the XRT trim adding dark chrome and black cladding for a more rugged look. Inside, the Santa Fe offered a luxurious experience, particularly in the all-terrain XRT and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, with premium materials and thoughtful design elements that created a comfortable and upscale environment.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator retained its classic design proportions, sharing a rear-wheel-drive platform with the Ford Explorer. The Aviator's styling, while fundamentally appealing, leaned more towards a sports wagon than an SUV, with a blunt nose and a tapered roofline that compromised third-row passenger space. The interior exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with plush materials and a focus on comfort rather than technological overload. However, the Aviator's remote keyless entry fob was a letdown, made of cheap plastic that did not reflect the brand's luxury image. Despite this, the Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system offered modern conveniences.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a unique approach in Canada by making the hybrid powertrain the entry-level option. The Preferred models featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine, delivering an estimated 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Other models came with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, with driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Snow enhancing the driving experience. The Santa Fe Hybrid boasted impressive fuel economy, consuming 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, while the gas powertrain was less efficient. The XRT trim offered additional off-road capabilities, making it suitable for adventurous outings.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivered a robust 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the Aviator prioritized comfort over excitement, with driving modes like Excite, Conserve, and Normal catering to different preferences. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the 22-inch wheels and thin tires struggled with rough surfaces. The Aviator's fuel economy was less impressive, with an observed 13.3 L/100 km during testing. However, the SUV offered excellent visibility and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable cruiser for long journeys.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused on maximizing cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The spacious cargo area, inspired by the concept of "chabak," featured an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage, making it ideal for car camping and tailgating. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows provided generous space and comfort, with options for reclining captain's chairs and various upholstery choices. The cargo area offered 413 litres of space, expanding to 2,267 litres with the seats folded, and included practical features like roof rails and a UV sanitization compartment.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in interior comfort, particularly with its Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though the third row was less accommodating for adults. Storage space was abundant, with a well-organized centre console and deep door pockets. The Aviator provided 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,149 litres with the seats folded. Despite its practicality, the Aviator lacked side window sunshades, an odd omission for a luxury SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display that elegantly integrated digital elements without overwhelming the cabin. The touchscreen display was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the lineup. The infotainment system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB ports. Hyundai's BlueLink system offered vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on higher trims, allowing for keyless entry and remote access via smartphone apps.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator's technology centred around a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. While the system supported Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, our test vehicle experienced issues with voice recognition. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Siri worked seamlessly. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered exceptional audio quality, and the head-up display provided valuable driving information. The Elevated Journey app offered mindfulness coaching, adding a unique touch to the driving experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, reverse parking collision assist, and a head-up display. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle to include driver monitoring, enhancing safety by tracking alertness and issuing warnings if necessary.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite, featuring active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and reverse braking assist. While the reverse braking assist system required adjustment, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist performed well. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering a proactive approach to driver control. The Aviator received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, confirming its status as a safe luxury SUV.