Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

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 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. The sides displayed an "Aviator" badge, and the rear was marked by a full-width LED taillight. Inside, the Aviator's interior was its main attraction, offering synthetic leather upholstery in the base trim and leather options in the Reserve trim. The Black Label trim, although not available in Canada, showcased features that elevated the Aviator's luxurious appeal.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid took a more conservative approach, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. Its design was familiar and functional, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized practicality, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Despite the use of glossy hard plastics, the controls were logically laid out, and the climate system was user-friendly. However, the infotainment interface had its quirks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander's design was practical, catering to families with its spacious interior and functional features.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort with its smooth ride and powerful engine. 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, offering a worry-free passing experience. Its suspension system, even in the sportiest Excite mode, was tuned for a forgiving ride, though it exhibited body lean through corners. The optional Air Glide suspension added control and versatility, enhancing the Aviator's capability in various driving conditions. With a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, the Aviator was suitable for midsize boats or campers.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance and efficiency. Its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, combined with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, delivered 362 horsepower. The six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning typical of CVTs, providing a satisfying driving experience. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel economy, it offered impressive acceleration and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. During testing, it achieved fuel economy figures in the mid-9s L/100 km. The Grand Highlander's ride quality was soft and isolating, though it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces. Its handling was secure, with excellent outward visibility aided by available camera systems.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with seating for up to seven. The base Premiere trim featured power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Reserve trim added quad-zone climate control and power-adjustable captain's chairs. The Aviator's second-row seats provided good space and could be adjusted to balance legroom among the three rows. However, the third row was less accommodating for adults, suitable only for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 467 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,149 litres with the second row folded down.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain's chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which was reasonably comfortable for adults. The Grand Highlander provided 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,761 litres with the second row folded down. However, some storage locations were unlined, potentially contributing to noise and vibration in the cabin.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator's tech suite included a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. While modern, it felt somewhat outdated compared to newer Lincoln models with full-width screens. The Aviator featured the Lincoln Digital Experience, offering 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 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the infotainment experience. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 system, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Aviator performed well in crash tests, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS. However, it lacked a rating for its headlights, preventing it from qualifying for a Top Safety Pick award.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, providing a range of standard safety features and driver assistance technologies. While it offered a high level of automation, it lacked hands-free operation like Ford's BlueCruise. The Proactive Driving Assist system was present but could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.