Compare the2024 BMW X7VS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Aviator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lincoln Aviator doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The X7 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Aviator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the X7 and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Aviator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Aviator.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X7’s reliability 49 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Lincoln.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 10th.

The X7 has more powerful engines than the Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lincoln only offers a regenerative brake system on the Aviator Grand Touring.

Both the X7 and the Aviator have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All X7s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Aviator Grand Touring doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The X7 has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X7 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 20.2 gallons).

The X7 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The X7’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Aviator doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the Aviator (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 255/60R19). The X7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (285/45R21 vs. 275/40R22).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 60 series tires. The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Aviator’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator. The X7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Aviator.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Aviator doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Aviator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Aviator, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Aviator (122.2 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The X7 has .4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 4.1 inches more third row legroom than the Aviator.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X7’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Aviator’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (5950 vs. 5600 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Aviator is only 5600 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the X7, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Aviator, the X7 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Aviator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

When the X7 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Aviator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lincoln doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Aviator.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Aviator.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X7 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Grand Touring/Black Label offers wireless charging.

The X7’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Aviator (except Standard)’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The BMW X7 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by 40% during 2022.