2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions. Its blunt nose, short front overhang, and appealing dash-to-axle ratio contributed to its sports wagon-like appearance, though the 2025 styling updates were seen as less elegant. The interior, accessed through doors with electronic releases, offered a plush, traditional design with advanced technology, though the keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap feel. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with the Reserve trim offering numerous luxury features and a price tag of $96,295.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, adopting a modern look with a flat roof, upright grille, and distinct styling elements for each trim. The base LT trim offered chrome or a high gloss black Midnight Edition, while the RS trim featured sportier elements like black mirrors and 19-inch wheels. The new Activ trim emphasized adventure with all-terrain tires and a unique grille. Interior updates included a more open centre console and a larger infotainment screen. The Equinox's cabin avoided a cheap feel, with distinct interior themes for each trim, enhancing its appeal.

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 various driving modes, including Excite and Normal, with an optional adaptive air suspension. Despite its power, the Aviator was not particularly exciting to drive, focusing instead on comfort and composure. Fuel economy was rated at 11.9 L/100 km, though real-world testing showed 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator provided clear sightlines and a quiet interior, though the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to its large wheels and tires.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The base LT FWD model featured a CVT, while AWD versions had an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Equinox's acceleration was responsive at low speeds, but highway merging highlighted its engine's limitations. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, with a towing capacity of up to 680 kilograms for AWD models. Selectable drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Off-Road, were available on RS and Activ trims.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator offered luxurious comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, featuring 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Second-row captain's chairs provided ample space and support, while the third-row seats were less accommodating for adults. The Aviator excelled in storage space, with a well-organized centre console and generous cargo capacity, offering 466 litres behind the third row and up to 2,149 litres with seats folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox provided standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel in Canada, with optional ventilation and heated rear seats. The flat roof ensured consistent headroom, with 970 mm in the front and 960 mm in the rear with the moonroof. The cabin featured thoughtful design elements, such as a well-placed dead pedal. Cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with them folded, with a hidden storage compartment beneath the load floor.

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 included 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 and head-up display were praised for their quality and functionality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration allowed for seamless navigation, while the 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Wi-Fi hotspot capability and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and Activ trims. Voice control issues were noted, but overall, the Equinox's tech features were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, featuring active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and reverse braking assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering proactive control handover. The Aviator received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package with rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, and more. Standard safety features included rear park assist, side blind-zone alert, and enhanced automatic emergency braking. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed and volume limits and receive a driving report card. The Equinox's safety features were comprehensive and family-friendly.