2025 Lincoln Aviator vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in Canada in several trims, including Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Black Edition. The Sport trim was the most affordable but lacked appealing amenities, making the leather-lined EX-L a recommended upgrade. Prices ranged from $55,486 to $67,236, including destination charges and dealer fees. The U.S. version of the Pilot Black Edition was evaluated, featuring black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it boasted black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments, while the TrailSport trim offered enhanced off-roading capabilities. The Pilot's interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated. Despite this, the Pilot remained an attractive SUV with practical storage solutions.

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 was considered less elegant and more generic, especially with the optional Jet Appearance Package. The Aviator's interior exuded a classic architectural sensibility, with a focus on traditional design rather than overwhelming screens. The remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap plastic construction, but the Aviator's Phone as a Key technology and touchpad entry system offered alternatives. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with prices ranging from $79,595 to $81,695. The test vehicle, in Reserve trim, featured extra-cost Whisper Blue paint and several option packages, resulting in an MSRP of $96,295. The Reserve 201A package added desirable features like upgraded lighting, 30-way-adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima audio system.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This drivetrain allowed the Pilot to tow up to 2,268 kilograms. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. In Canada, all Pilots came with Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD system, providing hill descent control and up to 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance. The AWD system featured torque vectoring, allowing up to 70 percent of engine output to flow to a single rear wheel. The Pilot's V6 engine provided good acceleration, though the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was less impressive, with an observed average of 14.1 L/100 km, falling short of the official rating of 11.2 L/100 km. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, aided by the Black Edition's 20-inch wheels and tires. While the Pilot could tackle challenging terrain, it was more suited for typical driving situations.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator 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 test vehicle had an optional adaptive air suspension, which firmed up in Excite mode. The Aviator's twin-turbo V6 provided ample power for acceleration and passing, though fuel economy was disappointing, with an observed average of 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator offered clear sightlines, aided by thin windshield pillars and large sideview mirrors. In urban settings, the ride quality was pleasant, but the 22-inch wheels and thin tires struggled with larger road imperfections. On highways, the adaptive air suspension couldn't entirely filter out road noise. The Aviator's driving character was not particularly athletic, but the adaptive Air Glide suspension ensured a composed and calming ride.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat's limited four-way adjustment was a potential deal-breaker for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable centre section for captain's chairs. The third row was habitable for adults if the second-row passengers slid forward. The Pilot featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof on higher trims. Cargo space was generous, with 635 litres behind the third row and up to 3,219 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. The third-row seats were less comfortable for adults, 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 and up to 2,149 litres with all seats folded.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the wireless CarPlay function had issues, and the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The Pilot's CabinTalk feature allowed communication with passengers over the stereo speakers, and a small head-up display was included.

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. It supported Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts, while Apple CarPlay and Siri worked well. The Aviator's 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.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control had issues in thick traffic, and the lane-centring assist system affected steering feel. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and reverse braking assist. The reverse braking assist system had issues with angled driveways. 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.