2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Lincoln Aviator

$56,900 · Crossover

$56,910 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

So, you're stuck choosing between rugged capability and refined luxury in the mid-$55k range? The 2025 Land Rover Defender, priced at $56,900, offers an imposing 77.5-inch height and standard All-Wheel Drive, perfect for those needing true off-road manners. However, it sacrifices power, putting out 296 hp compared to the 2026 Lincoln Aviator's muscular 400 hp. The Aviator is significantly larger at nearly 200 inches long and boasts 415 lb-ft of torque, substantially more grunt for highway merging. Fuel economy is another major split: the Defender manages 19 combined MPG, while the Aviator doesn't provide a combined figure, hinting at potentially higher running costs given its power advantage. For pure practicality, the Aviator offers more space with 19.2 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Defender's 15.6 cu ft, making this choice boil down to terrain conquering versus outright comfort and sheer output.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lincoln Aviator

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is likely smoother and more powerful for daily road use, despite its thirstier nature.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Aviator offers superior space with 19.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is better for hauling family gear than the Defender's 15.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Lincoln Aviator

The 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the Aviator clearly offer a much more engaging driving experience than the Defender's 296 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender offers standard All-Wheel Drive and a slightly lower entry price at $56,900, justifying its lower power rating with added utility.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You need the capability of standard All-Wheel Drive for frequent challenging road conditions.
You prefer a taller stance, as the Defender measures 77.5 inches in height.
You want to keep the initial purchase price slightly lower, starting at $56,900.

Choose the Lincoln Aviator if...

You prioritize high performance, benefiting from 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.
You need maximum room, as the Aviator provides 19.2 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer a longer vehicle (199.7 inches) for a more substantial presence on the road.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	Lincoln Aviator
Length	180.5"	199.7"
Width	-	79.6"
Height	77.5"	69.2"
Wheelbase	101.9"	119.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-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 Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	400 hp
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	415 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	20.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	10
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	13.2 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Rear Volume Controls	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	43.0 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	10-way
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	—	58.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	38.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	40.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Shoulder Room	—	61.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	58.3 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	20 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R19	255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Lincoln
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	unlimited yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	4 yr./ 50000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2026 Lincoln Aviator.

How does the power difference between the Defender and the Aviator impact highway driving?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator generates 104 more horsepower (400 hp vs. 296 hp) and significantly more torque (415 lb-ft vs. 295 lb-ft), meaning the Aviator will feel much quicker when merging or overtaking at highway speeds.

Is the 2025 Land Rover Defender truly more practical for light off-roading compared to the Aviator?

Yes, the Defender comes standard with All-Wheel Drive and has a taller height (77.5 inches), suggesting better ground clearance for rough trails than the typically road-biased Lincoln Aviator.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for my daily commute?

Based on the provided data, the 2025 Land Rover Defender is the clear winner here, achieving 19 combined MPG, while the significantly more powerful Aviator is likely to consume fuel at a higher rate.

Does the price difference suggest one car is better value than the other?

Both are very close in MSRP, with the Defender at $56,900 and the Aviator at $56,910; however, the Defender's included AWD system might represent better functional value for some buyers.

Which car is physically larger, the Defender or the Aviator?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is considerably larger, measuring 199.7 inches in length and 79.6 inches in width, making the Defender appear more compact at 180.5 inches long.

Are there any major transmission differences between these two crossovers?

Yes, the Aviator uses a 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, providing one extra gear ratio compared to the Defender's 8-speed automatic, which can aid in cruising efficiency.