Lincoln Aviator vs Lexus TX

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was a luxurious take on the Ford Explorer, boasting 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 large 20 to 22-inch wheels. The reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewelry, was flanked by LED headlights, while the sides displayed an “Aviator” badge as a piece of body jewelry. The rear was marked by a full-width LED taillight and “Lincoln” lettering. Inside, the Aviator's interior was its main attraction, offering synthetic leather upholstery in the base trim and leather options in the Reserve trim, with a variety of colour choices.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of packages tailored to different powertrains, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package and the TX 500h hybrid starting with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior retained a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle design, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and full-width rear LED lighting. The interior offered three colour options and ambient lighting, though material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, though they seemed unnecessary. Overall, the TX provided a spacious interior with a focus on practicality, despite some quirks in design and material choices.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort with a smooth ride and ample power. It was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Aviator could accelerate to 100 km/h in under six seconds, with smooth transmission shifts and a forgiving ride, even in the sportiest Excite mode. The optional Air Glide suspension added control and versatility, enhancing the ride quality further. The Aviator also featured a Class III trailer tow package, capable of towing up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered two powertrain options: a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the TX 350 and a 366-horsepower hybrid setup in the TX 500h. The gas model came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. Both models featured AWD, with the TX 500h utilizing Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system. The TX provided Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response. The 500h model included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling, though the TX was not designed as a sports car.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a comfortable and versatile interior, with the base Premiere trim featuring power-adjustable seats, 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, but cargo space was generous, with up to 2,149 litres available with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided a spacious interior with three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The TX 500h included ventilated second-row seats by default. The third row was notably spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second-row seats offered easy access to the third row, though folding them flat required a specific sequence of actions. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX excelled in cargo space, offering up to 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded, and could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

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, with an optional Revel 28-speaker system available. The Aviator's tech suite was modern but felt less advanced compared to newer Lincoln models with full-width screens.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a 14-inch colour touchscreen with quick response times, though some features lacked polish. The steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX required a subscription for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera provided a clear view, and the available Advanced Park system assisted with parking. The TX included seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and more. The Aviator performed well in crash tests, earning five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it lacked a rating for its headlights.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, and hands-free driving was available via subscription. The TX received five stars from the NHTSA and mixed scores from the IIHS, with an “Acceptable” rating in the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side.