2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Genesis GV70 had a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's signature quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The GV70's sloping roofline gave it a fastback appearance, adding a touch of athleticism to its SUV bulk. The ribbed detailing along the sides contributed to a muscular profile, blending ruggedness with sleekness. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling elements, including large vents on the front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The rear bumper housed genuine exhaust outlets, adding to its sporty appeal.

Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, featuring an elliptical theme. The controls were housed in a thin elliptical pod, complemented by similarly shaped door handles and armrests. The design was minimalistic, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and air vents discreetly integrated into a slit running across the cabin. The rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a touch of sophistication. Genesis offered a variety of interior color options, including bold choices like green and blue. The Sport Prestige model boasted luxurious Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts, while base models featured leatherette seats.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a different aesthetic, characterized by its modern Lincoln face and three-row SUV design. While the Aviator's wheel designs were somewhat plain, the vehicle's overall appearance was enhanced by the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, which acknowledged the presence of the keyfob. The electric, light-touch door handles and soft-close doors added to the sense of effortlessness. Inside, the Aviator's cabin was undeniably luxurious, with a mix of patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. The materials were mostly high-end, with soft leather and a simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome detailing and stitching appeared less refined. The Aviator's key fob was lightweight and plastic, but the Phone As A Key digital key technology offered a modern alternative.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was less than pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride, even in Comfort mode.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a plug-in hybrid with a twin-turbo V6 engine, producing an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The Aviator offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. It featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowing the powertrain to switch between electricity and gasoline for efficiency. The Aviator's drivetrain was powerful but sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent acceleration and braking behavior. The Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension helped manage the Aviator's weight, providing a smooth and quiet ride. However, the Aviator's steering was heavy and numb, and it lacked the fun-to-drive factor, even in Excite mode.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. The GV70's cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it in the middle of the segment. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports for phones. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls. However, the third-row seat was cramped and not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seats in use, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Maximum cargo space measured 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation, driver profiles, and more.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and more. However, it ran on the older Sync 3 software, which had limitations in voice recognition. The Aviator's voice recognition system struggled with certain commands, making it less user-friendly. The vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system and warning chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Smartphone-related tech included wireless charging and the Phone As A Key digital key system. The Aviator also had digital instrumentation and a comprehensive head-up display.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a range of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle had features like adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and more. The Aviator's driver aids performed well on straight highways but struggled in curves and dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the Aviator Grand Touring was not rated.