2026 Lincoln Aviator vs 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was essentially a luxurious version of the Ford Explorer, offering a premium feel thanks to its rear-wheel-drive unibody platform. Its exterior design was elegant, featuring a long dash-to-axle ratio, a slightly raked profile, and large 20–22-inch wheels. The reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewelry, was flanked by LED headlights, while the sides displayed an “Aviator” badge as a piece of body jewelry. The interior was the main attraction, especially in the Black Label trim, which offered upgraded leather in curated themes like Flight, Moonbeam, and Invitation, each with unique design elements and top-notch material quality.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim had rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 was for those who appreciated a functional vehicle, while the upmarket version, priced from $64,620, offered more features and optional upgrades. The test vehicle included options like a two-tone paint job, Premium Package, and off-road enhancements. The cabin emphasized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and technology upgrades. Despite some minor issues, the Land Cruiser exuded quality and was designed for serious off-roading.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort with a smooth ride and plenty of power. It was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, and its transmission shifts were smooth. The suspension system, featuring adaptive dampers, provided a forgiving ride, though it resulted in considerable body lean through corners. An optional Air Glide suspension offered additional control and could adjust ride height for different driving conditions. The Aviator also came with a Class III trailer tow package, capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser offered various off-road capabilities, including center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. Despite its weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, though it wasn't particularly quick. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, easily handling challenging trails, while its on-road performance was mostly agreeable, with some minor issues like a touchy brake pedal.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Black Label trim added a 30-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with massagers and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Aviator could seat up to seven, with most versions featuring second-row captain’s chairs. While the second row provided good space, the third row was less hospitable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 16.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied by trim level, with the 1958 model featuring manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. The Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, and additional technology features. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, but lacked a third-row seat. Cargo space was 46.2 cubic feet, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, though the high liftover height and lack of a flat surface made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. The tech suite included the Lincoln Digital Experience, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, digital key functionality, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added a head-up display and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, while the Black Label offered a high-end Revel 28-speaker audio system.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came with a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the 1958 model, while the higher trim featured 12.3-inch displays. The test vehicle included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota Connected Services offered various plans, including Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with different data panels.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The Aviator performed well in crash tests, earning five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it lacked a rating for its headlights.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from the IIHS, though it had some lower scores in specific tests.