2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was a nod to its iconic past with a boxy design and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. It featured a heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the First Edition, and rectangular ones on other trims, all LED-lit. The vehicle's design was a blend of classic inspiration and modern standards, with colour-selectable fog lights adding a contemporary twist. Driver comfort was enhanced with a lowered beltline for better visibility, and the First Edition came with off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while higher trims boasted SofTex or real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a steering wheel were standard, with additional features like a moonroof and ventilated seats in higher trims. The cabin was comfortable, with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain without discomfort.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, had classic design proportions with a blunt nose and a tapered roofline. While the design was appealing, the 2025 styling was seen as less elegant, especially with the Jet Appearance Package. The interior was plush, with a classic architectural sensibility, and avoided overwhelming with screens, focusing instead on traditional luxury. However, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap feel. The Aviator offered Premiere and Reserve trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $79,595 to $81,695. Our test vehicle, in Reserve trim, featured options like Whisper Blue paint and a centre console between second-row captain’s chairs, with a total MSRP of $96,295. The Reserve 201A package added features like upgraded lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, and the vehicle had standard rear- and centre-locking differentials. The Land Cruiser also introduced a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, enhancing off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings for low-speed cruise control over challenging terrain, operating silently compared to previous versions.

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. It offered driving modes like Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The optional adaptive air suspension firmed up in Excite mode, though the Aviator was not particularly exciting to drive. The V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, but fuel economy was disappointing at 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator offered clear sightlines and a 360-degree camera view for parking. Ride quality was pleasant in urban settings, but the 22-inch wheels and thin tires struggled with larger road imperfections. The adaptive Air Glide suspension controlled body motions and roll, ensuring a composed ride.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm in the front and 897 mm in the back, and legroom at 838 mm front and 678 mm rear. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, and the infotainment controls were conveniently placed. The cargo area, with a raised load floor and rubber mat, offered 1,063 litres of space, with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator's Perfect Position front seats offered 30 ways of adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. The third-row seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom. Storage space was excellent, with a smartphone charging pad, cupholders, and a sizeable bin in the centre console. The Aviator provided 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 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard above the base trim, with a 12.3-inch centre touchscreen display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The upgraded trim offered a 10-speaker sound system, with an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, head-up display, and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator had 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, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality. The Aviator also featured an impressive head-up display with comprehensive data presentation.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided some confidence. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Premium Package and First Edition added lane-change assist and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite, with features like active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and reverse braking assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, with a four-year subscription. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from NHTSA and Good ratings from IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.