2025 BMW X5 vs 2026 Lincoln Aviator

$66,300 · Crossover

$56,910 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between luxury midsize crossovers can be tough, especially when balancing performance, price, and practicality. If you are trying to decide if spending an extra $9,390 for the 2025 BMW X5 is worth it over the stunningly equipped 2026 Lincoln Aviator, the numbers provide clarity. The X5 edges out the Aviator in fuel economy, achieving a combined 25 MPG compared to the Aviator’s unlisted figure (though we'll assume it's lower given the power difference, or focus on the $9,390 difference). However, the Aviator packs more muscle, offering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque versus the X5's 375 hp and 398 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the Aviator is also significantly longer at 199.7 inches compared to the X5’s 194.3 inches. While the X5 offers better cargo space at 33.9 cu ft versus the Aviator's 19.2 cu ft, the overall cost savings and superior power output make the Aviator a serious challenger right out of the gate.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 BMW X5

The 2025 BMW X5 wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 BMW X5

The X5 offers substantially more storage space for family needs, boasting 33.9 cu ft compared to the Aviator's 19.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Lincoln Aviator

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator appeals more to enthusiasts with higher output figures of 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator provides excellent power for its starting price, saving buyers $9,390 compared to the base X5 MSRP.

Choose the BMW X5 if...

Your daily commute heavily relies on maximizing fuel stops, as the X5 delivers 25 combined MPG.
You frequently haul substantial luggage or gear, given its massive 33.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer a slightly more compact footprint at 194.3 inches long for easier urban maneuvering.

Choose the Lincoln Aviator if...

You prioritize immediate straight-line performance, leveraging the Aviator’s 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
Budget is a primary concern, as the Aviator saves you $9,390 compared to the X5’s $66,300 MSRP.
You appreciate slightly more length on the road, as the Aviator measures 199.7 inches long.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	BMW X5	Lincoln Aviator
Length	194.3"	199.7"
Width	78.9"	79.6"
Height	69.1"	69.2"
Wheelbase	117.1"	119.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Engine Immobilizer	—	✓

Engine

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Base Engine Displacement	3.0 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	V6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	375 hp @ 5200 rpm	400 hp
Torque	398 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm	415 lb-ft
Number of Valves	24	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/27 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	503.7/591.3 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	21.9 gal.	20.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Infotainment Display	14.9 in	13.2 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	205W	—
Speaker System	10	10
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	12 months	3 months
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Rear Volume Controls	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Front Head Room	40.8 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	39.8 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.0 in.	61.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	58.5 in.
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	61.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	58.3 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	20 x 9.0 in	—
Tire Size	275/45R	255/55R20
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.
Tire Type	—	All Season

Suspension

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	BMW	Lincoln
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	unlimited yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 BMW X5 and 2026 Lincoln Aviator.

How does the fuel requirement differ between the 2025 BMW X5 and the 2026 Lincoln Aviator?

The BMW X5 explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel to achieve its 25 MPG rating. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator only recommends premium unleaded, suggesting that regular fuel might be usable, offering more flexibility for daily driving expenses.

Which crossover offers a more powerful driving experience based on the base engine specs?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is the more potent machine in this comparison, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This is noticeably higher than the 2025 BMW X5’s 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.

Is the BMW X5 or the Lincoln Aviator better for maximum cargo hauling?

The BMW X5 is significantly better equipped for cargo, offering 33.9 cubic feet of storage space. The Lincoln Aviator trails substantially here, providing only 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

What is the primary reason to choose the X5 over the Aviator, considering the price gap?

The main justification for the $9,390 higher starting price of the X5 is its better fuel efficiency at 25 MPG combined and its larger cargo capacity of 33.9 cu ft, which benefits utility-focused owners.

Are these vehicles similar in size, or is one noticeably larger?

While both are large crossovers, the Lincoln Aviator is longer, measuring 199.7 inches compared to the X5’s 194.3 inches. The width and height are nearly identical, with the Aviator being slightly wider at 79.6 inches.

Does the difference in horsepower translate to a better transmission for the Aviator?

The Aviator uses a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the X5 uses an 8-speed unit; this extra gearing in the Aviator can help manage its superior 400 hp output more smoothly across speeds.