Compare the2026 Toyota 4Runner VS 2027 Lincoln Aviator

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota 4Runner is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	4Runner	Aviator
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-15 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.3 sec	.4 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota 4Runner achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lincoln Aviator has not been tested.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Lincoln Aviator doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the 4Runner 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Aviator. (Lincoln offers free maintenance on some Aviator models.)

There are almost 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

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 4Runner’s reliability 73 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 20th.

The 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Aviator:

			MPG
4Runner
	RWD	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Aviator
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/24 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Aviator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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 4Runner stops shorter than the Aviator:

	4Runner	Aviator
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lincoln Aviator only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Aviator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The 4Runner offers an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects 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.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (10.1 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota 4Runner may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The 4Runner is 4.8 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

	4Runner	Aviator
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	39.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	75.9 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Aviator’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

The 4Runner’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 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota 4Runner retains 69.9% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 45.62% resale value of the 2026 Lincoln Aviator after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $19175 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota 4Runner, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Lincoln Aviator by over four to one during 2025.