2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender felt robust and adventure-ready, with a cabin that emphasized durability over luxury, reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but with more refined materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, revealed a vehicle equipped with features such as 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof, among others.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator showcased a design that leaned more towards a sports wagon than a traditional SUV, with classic proportions and a sleek silhouette. However, the 2025 styling updates made it appear less distinctive. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a plush interior that avoided overwhelming technology displays. The test vehicle's optional Jet Appearance Package added to its appeal, though the remote keyless entry fob was a letdown in terms of quality. In Canada, the Aviator was offered in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle arriving in Reserve trim, featuring all-wheel drive, Whisper Blue paint, and several option packages. The Reserve 201A package added luxurious touches like 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-litre V8 options were available, with the P500 generating 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 3,500 kilograms, while the four-cylinder version could tow up to 2,500 kilograms. The most powerful V8 propelled the Defender from zero to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds, showcasing its impressive performance. Off-road capabilities were a highlight, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its prowess.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Drivers could choose from various driving modes, including Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Our test vehicle featured an optional adaptive air suspension, which firmed up in Excite mode, though the Aviator's mission was more about comfort than excitement. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, but fuel economy was a concern, with an observed 13.3 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop. The Aviator offered clear sightlines and a 360-degree camera view for urban driving, though the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to the large 22-inch wheels and thin tires. The adaptive Air Glide suspension excelled at maintaining composure, ensuring a smooth and calming ride.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children, while the Defender 130 accommodated up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 2,155 litres with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 962 litres behind the second row in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 provided 441 litres behind the second row. The cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces, enhancing practicality and ease of cleaning.

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, though the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. Storage space was excellent, with a centre console featuring a smartphone charging pad and cupholders. 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. The test vehicle's optional console between the second-row seats added convenience, though side window sunshades were notably absent.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited the Defender's utilitarian persona. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it user-friendly, providing essential features without overwhelming complexity.

In the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered access to entertainment, navigation, and vehicle settings. The Lincoln Digital Experience powered the tech, featuring Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in our test vehicle, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Siri worked well. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system delivered exceptional audio quality, and the available head-up display provided valuable information, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender boasted an extensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, requiring deactivation for smoother driving. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. The reverse braking assist system was overly cautious, requiring deactivation for smoother operation. 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 strong safety performance.