2023 Audi Q5 vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented a sophisticated and modern aesthetic, characterized by its three-row, midsize SUV design. It featured a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models enhanced this powertrain with a hybrid system, incorporating a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering standard all-wheel drive. The Aviator's pricing ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The Black Label Grand Touring model, with its optional paint job, reached an MSRP of $91,225. The Aviator's design was generally appealing, though the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain, detracting from its high price point. The vehicle's lighting features, such as the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, added a touch of elegance, though the electronic door latches required careful handling.

Inside, the Aviator Black Label Grand Touring exuded luxury, albeit with a somewhat overwhelming array of design elements. The cabin featured a mix of patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats, creating a visually striking environment. While the materials were mostly high-end, some details, like the chrome switchgear and stitching, fell short of expectations. The key fob's lightweight, plastic construction was also a letdown, though the Phone As A Key technology offered a modern alternative. Overall, the Aviator's interior was a blend of high-quality materials and intricate design, appealing to those with a taste for Art Deco styling.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular SUV and the Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined and straightforward layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The Q5's technology was comprehensive, with a 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash, though it lacked the large tablet-like screens found in some competitors. Materials quality was good, but the Q5 no longer felt as special as it once did, given the advancements in non-luxury vehicles. The rear seats featured durable plastic elements, suitable for families with children and pets. The Q5's build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, was not solely focused on efficiency. Despite the added weight of its electric motor and battery, the drivetrain delivered an impressive 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The EPA estimated a 21-mile electric driving range, with a combined 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered various driving modes, including Pure EV for electric-only driving and Preserve EV to save battery charge. During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator achieved 22.3 miles of electric range, with a fuel economy equivalent to 163.4 mpg. Over a 94.7-mile journey, it averaged 24.3 mpg, showcasing its ability to maximize efficiency. The Aviator's power was ample, though the drivetrain's responsiveness varied, and the brake pedal exhibited inconsistent behavior due to the regenerative braking system. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension, managed its weight well, providing a smooth and predictable ride. However, despite its handling capabilities, the Aviator was not particularly engaging to drive, prioritizing comfort and isolation over sportiness.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, available exclusively with the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. Charging the PHEV took approximately 2.5 hours on a 7.4 kW home charger. All Q5 models came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission's slow response. This made initial acceleration feel sluggish, though power was adequate once underway. The Q5's handling was sporty, with precise steering and confidence-inspiring performance on curvy roads. While the Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, spirited drivers might prefer the higher-performing SQ5, though it sacrificed some ride comfort. The Q5's cabin remained quiet, with minimal road and wind noise, contributing to a calm and luxurious driving experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort and quietness, featuring a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and automatic heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The massaging, 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly comfortable, though they required some adjustment to find the ideal setting. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, separated by a center console with ample storage and controls for the panoramic sunroof's shade. However, the Aviator's third-row seat was not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The power-release second-row captain's chairs did not slide forward much, making access to the third row challenging. With the third-row seats in use, the Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, including underfloor storage. Folding the third row flat increased cargo capacity to 41.8 cubic feet, with a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet available.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign, yet it continued to impress with its timeless appeal. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, while traditional dials and buttons controlled the climate system. Physical buttons for secondary vehicle controls reduced the need to navigate on-screen menus. The Q5 offered good outward visibility, aided by a narrow front roof pillar that minimized obstruction during sharp left turns. Rear visibility was also above average, though parking cameras and sensors were still necessary for tight spaces. The front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were plentiful, though some compartments were oddly sized. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with the Sportback slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet. While competitors like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 offered more cargo space, the Q5 remained competitive in its class.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The system's voice commands were inconsistent, often providing incorrect or outdated information. As a result, using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a better experience. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, and the vehicle's warning chimes were recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Smartphone-related technology included wireless charging and the Phone As A Key system, allowing the use of a smartphone as the vehicle's key. The Aviator also featured digital instrumentation and a head-up display, which remained visible even with polarized sunglasses. Parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking, though the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system was not tested.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. However, the system took time to boot up, and Apple CarPlay activation was slow. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly across all trims. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native system were large and easy to use, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, allowing for feature control such as unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Audi Connect Care service was included for a limited time, with a subscription required afterward. The Q5 also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and a customizable digital instrument panel on mid-range trims.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aid packages, with features varying by trim level. Our test vehicle included automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The evasive steering assist system provided stability during sudden maneuvers. While the driving assistance technology performed well, it was best suited for straight highways with light traffic. The lane-keeping system tended to hug inside lane markings in curves, and the driver aids were less reliable in dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated, with physical buttons mounted behind illuminated pods. The Aviator Grand Touring had not been rated for safety by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, with four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Q5 Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist, which combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The top Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.