Compare the2024 Acura MDXVS 2024 Lincoln Aviator

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the MDX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Aviator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Acura MDX is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the MDX and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura MDX is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Acura MDX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Aviator is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MDX’s reliability 16 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Lincoln.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 23rd.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better mileage than the Aviator:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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.

For better stopping power the MDX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The MDX stops shorter than the Aviator:

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 60 series tires.

The MDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Aviator doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Aviator doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The MDX Type S handles at .84 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (9.4 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 450 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The MDX has .8 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the MDX, using the Vehicle Stability Assist 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Aviator, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

When the MDX 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 Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Black Label offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $2310 to $8165 less than the Aviator over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura MDX will be $881 to $10922 less than for the Lincoln Aviator.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The Acura MDX outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost four to one during 2023.