Lincoln Aviator vs Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was essentially a luxurious version of the Ford Explorer, offering a premium feel thanks to its RWD unibody platform. Its exterior design was elegant, featuring a long dash-to-axle ratio, a slightly raked profile, and restrained character lines. The Aviator's reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewelry in the shape of the Lincoln logo, was flanked by LED headlights with distinctive light signatures. The sides showcased an "Aviator" badge, while the rear boasted a full-width LED taillight and "Lincoln" lettering. Inside, the Aviator's interior was its main attraction, with the base Premiere trim offering synthetic leather upholstery and the Reserve trim providing leather options in various colours.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was known for its over-stylized design, featuring a large, intricately patterned spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. The profile was sporty yet less extroverted, with rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares. F Sport elements included dark trim and 20-inch wheels, while the fastback roof shape echoed coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX combined a sporty look with modern technology, including a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen. The F Sport 3 model featured dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and optional two-tone Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort with a focus on ride quality over handling. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Aviator could accelerate to 100 km/h in under six seconds, and its transmission shifts were consistently smooth. The suspension, even in Excite mode, was tuned for a forgiving ride, though it exhibited body lean through corners. An optional Air Glide suspension offered additional control and adjustable ride height. The Aviator also came with a Class III trailer tow package, capable of towing up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, wasn't as sporty as its name suggested. It featured adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport settings, but its handling was more controlled than sporty. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, providing standard AWD and a total of 240 horsepower. The NX could accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in 7.2 seconds. While power delivery wasn't exhilarating, it was sufficient for everyday driving. The drivetrain felt slushy, and the engine droned under hard acceleration. Steering wheel paddles allowed for simulated downshifts, but they didn't mimic regular automatic transmission gear ratios.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a spacious interior with various comfort features. The base Premiere trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Reserve trim added quad-zone climate control and optional Perfect Position 30-way power-adjustable front seats with massagers. The Aviator could seat up to seven, with second-row captain's chairs providing good space and control over audio and climate settings. The third row was less accommodating for adults, suitable only for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 467 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,149 litres with all seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model featured well-bolstered front seats with ample room for tall adults. Power seat and steering wheel adjustments ensured comfort, complemented by heated and ventilated front seats and dual-zone climate control. The rear seat offered enough space for two average-sized adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. The NX's cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,328 litres with the seats folded. The coupe-like roof shape limited cargo capacity compared to competitors, but it remained practical for everyday use.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. The Lincoln Digital Experience provided access to apps like Google Assistant and the Google Play store. Standard tech included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, digital key functionality, and a 14-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added ambient lighting and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, with a high-end 28-speaker system available.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A programmable head-up display and a wireless phone charger were optional, as was a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The NX offered a three-year Remote Connect subscription, allowing remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a volume dial and embedded temperature controls for easy access.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 system, offering features like forward collision warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. BlueCruise allowed hands-free highway driving, though it had limitations in construction zones. The Aviator earned top scores in crash tests from the NHTSA and IIHS, but incomplete scores prevented it from receiving a Top Safety Pick award.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA tests. It came with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including features like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The safety systems worked effectively during testing, though the adaptive cruise control was slightly complex to operate.