Both the Grand Highlander and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.
Compare the2024 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator
![2024 Toyota Grand Highlander](https://d2ivfcfbdvj3sm.cloudfront.net/6fd260a869c389e6f8668ba55dfb5f70ed0d4a5409113e8988cc1df8abcb/color_0640_032_png/MY2024/52414/52414_cc0640_032_089.png)
![2023 Lincoln Aviator](https://d2ivfcfbdvj3sm.cloudfront.net/6fd260a869c389e6f8668ba55dfb5f70ed0d4a540b1d368588cc1df8abcb/color_0640_032_png/MY2023/50898/50898_cc0640_032_AZ.png)
Safety
Warranty
Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Aviator.
There are over 80 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Lincoln.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 10th.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:
|
|
|
MPG |
Grand Highlander |
|||
|
FWD |
2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid |
37 city/34 hwy |
|
|
2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
21 city/28 hwy |
|
AWD |
2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid |
36 city/32 hwy |
|
|
XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
21 city/27 hwy |
|
|
Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
20 city/26 hwy |
Aviator |
|||
|
RWD |
3.0 turbo V6 |
18 city/26 hwy |
|
AWD |
3.0 turbo V6 |
17 city/24 hwy |
|
|
3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid |
22 city/25 hwy |
The Grand Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.
Transmission
The Grand Highlander offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Aviator doesn’t offer a CVT.
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (38 feet vs. 39.2 feet).
Chassis
The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.
Passenger Space
The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry 7.
The Grand Highlander has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (153.3 vs. 144.7).
The Grand Highlander has .5 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more third row headroom, 4.3 inches more third row legroom, 4.8 inches more third row hip room and 3.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.
For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Grand Highlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.
Cargo Capacity
The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.
|
Grand Highlander |
Aviator |
Behind Third Seat |
20.6 cubic feet |
18.3 cubic feet |
Third Seat Folded |
57.9 cubic feet |
41.8 cubic feet |
Second Seat Folded |
97.5 cubic feet |
77.7 cubic feet |
Towing
A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is standard on the Grand Highlander, using the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.
Ergonomics
When the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Grand Highlander has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Grand Touring/Black Label offers wireless charging.