2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its previous redesign, which had shifted the SUV from a front-wheel-drive to a rear-wheel-drive platform. This change had already given the Explorer a more balanced and sleek appearance, with a "floating" roof and a greenhouse that tapered into the liftgate. The refreshed 2025 model further enhanced this design with a restyled front end, making it appear wider and more ruggedly handsome. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern look, while a variety of new wheel designs offered additional customization options. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements in materials, design, and technology, making it more competitive in its segment. The trim levels in Canada were reduced from six to four, with prices ranging from $52,830 to $71,430, including the destination charge.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator shared its rear-wheel-drive platform with the Ford Explorer, benefiting from classic design proportions. It featured a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline, creating an alluring silhouette. However, the 2025 styling updates made it appear 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 the trend of overwhelming screens. The Aviator's remote keyless entry fob was a disappointment, but the Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system offered modern alternatives. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with prices ranging from $79,595 to $81,695, including the destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with several option packages, carried an MSRP of $96,295.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer ST and optionally the Platinum trim came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Canadian models had a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Explorer's driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport, Slippery, Trail, Tow/Haul, and Deep Snow/Sand. Fuel economy ratings for the base engine were 11.9 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.4 combined. The V6 in the Platinum trim consumed 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.3 highway, and 11.3 combined, while the ST trim averaged 13.3 city, 9.6 highway, and 11.6 combined. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic offered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance enhancements included larger wheels, but the focus was on aesthetics rather than performance. The Explorer ST showcased its capabilities on a short autocross course, while the Platinum trim demonstrated fast acceleration and a pleasant engine sound. The Explorer handled off-road trails with ease, but it was not designed for serious off-roading.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator came with a single powertrain option: a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator offered driving modes such as Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Our test vehicle featured an optional adaptive air suspension, which firmed up in Excite mode. The Aviator excelled in providing a comfortable ride rather than sporty performance. The V6 engine delivered ample power for acceleration and passing, but fuel economy was disappointing at 13.3 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop. The Aviator offered excellent visibility, aided by thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. In urban settings, the ride quality was pleasant, but larger bumps and road imperfections were noticeable due to the heavy 22-inch wheels and thin tires. On highways, the adaptive air suspension couldn't entirely filter out road noise. The Aviator's driving character was more about comfort and composure than athleticism, with the adaptive Air Glide suspension ensuring a secure and calming ride.

The 2025 Ford Explorer accommodated six passengers in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the optional Premium Package, which added ambient lighting, memory front seats, heated second-row seats, and a wireless charging pad. The front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts, while the second-row captain's chairs offered similar comfort. Accessing the third row was challenging for adults, and the seats were low and flat, making them uncomfortable for long journeys. Storage space was ample, with a useful dashboard tray and competitive cargo capacity: 461 litres behind the third row, 1,302 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,429 litres.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator's Perfect Position front seats offered 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, providing exceptional comfort. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seats were low and unsupportive, with limited legroom even when the second-row passengers moved forward. Storage space was excellent, with a smartphone charging pad, hidden trays, and deep door pockets. The Aviator offered 466 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,131 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,149 litres. The optional second-row console added convenience, but side window sunshades were notably absent.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and streaming apps. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot was available, and the system was user-friendly, with excellent Google Maps integration. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers with 980 watts in the Platinum and ST trims. Audiophiles were encouraged to upgrade, as the ST-Line's sound system was unimpressive by Bang & Olufsen standards.

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

The 2025 Ford Explorer came with Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist and other driver assistance systems. ST-Line trims and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well in testing, though it occasionally required driver intervention in tight curves or heavy traffic. The 2025 Explorer had not been fully rated by the NHTSA, but it earned five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings. The IIHS rated its crash performance well but criticized the headlights on some trims.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Notable features included active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist worked well, and BlueCruise was standard, offering hands-free driving on approved highways. BlueCruise proactively handed control to the driver when necessary, and it notified the driver of available lane changes. The Aviator earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.