2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 presented a rugged exterior, with Toyota striving to give it a tougher appearance than its performance suggested. The SUV's design featured aggressive angularity with lower grey body cladding and dual exhaust outlets, hinting at a performance that wasn't quite there. Upper trims sported fake skid plates, and off-road-themed versions came with utility-style roof racks. Our test vehicle, a U.S. specification TRD Off-Road trim, showcased a digital rearview mirror, a feature available on Limited trims in Canada. The RAV4's interior emphasized utility, with easy-clean surfaces and rubber-lined storage areas, reflecting its practical nature. The cabin's upscale feel improved with higher budgets, offering contrast-colour interior choices on select trims.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, boasted classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and tapered roofline created an alluring silhouette, though the 2025 styling appeared less elegant with the optional Jet Appearance Package. Inside, the Aviator exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a plush interior that didn't rely heavily on screens. However, the remote keyless entry fob felt cheap, contrasting with the luxury brand's image. The Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system offered modern conveniences. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with our test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring several option packages, including the Dynamic Handling package, priced at $96,295.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and an eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power from the gas engine. The SUV featured Multi-Terrain Select with driving modes like Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt. Ground clearance varied from 20.6 to 21.6 centimetres, depending on the model. The RAV4's engine, though powerful for its class, was loud and unrefined. Its fuel economy rating was 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the LE model slightly lower at 7.9 L/100 km. Our test vehicle averaged 10.6 L/100 km on the evaluation route.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, featured 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 wasn't particularly exciting to drive. The V6 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.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4's interior focused on practicality, with storage shelves, trays, and oversized rubberized control knobs. The test vehicle featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, while ventilated front seats and heated rear seats were exclusive to the Limited trim. The RAV4 comfortably accommodated four adults, with a rear seat offering good legroom and footroom. The cargo area provided 1,059 litres of space, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded down.

In contrast, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, adjustable in 30 ways with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. The Aviator's storage space was excellent, with a centre console featuring a smartphone charging pad and a sizeable bin under the armrest. The cargo area offered 466 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,131 litres with the seats folded down, and a maximum capacity of 2,149 litres.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or available 10.5-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Service Connect and Safety Connect were included for ten years, while Remote Connect was complimentary for three years. Drive Connect required a subscription, adding cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was sophisticated but had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and difficulty exiting Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle had an active Drive Connect plan, but the digital voice assistant had some limitations.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator's technology included a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It supported Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The Aviator featured an app called Elevated Journey, offering mindfulness coaching for the road. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided excellent audio quality. The available head-up display offered a widescreen presentation of data, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. In Canada, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The TSS 2.5 system was adequate, though the lane-centring assist was better suited for straighter highways. The adaptive cruise control managed distances smoothly, but braking was often too excessive. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test.

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, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. The reverse braking assist system was overly sensitive, but adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist worked well. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering proactive control handover to the driver. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating its safety in collisions.