The 6th-gen Ford Explorer and 2nd-gen Lincoln Aviator both use a new RWD/AWD platform, but the FoMoCo has gone to great lengths to diffentiate the two cars.
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Aviator
Back in the day, Ford would just change the headlights, grille, hood, and bumpers and leave it at that. With the latest Explorer and Aviator, they've gone a lot further than that.
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Aviator
Both cars share the same profile, but every exterior panel and design element is different.
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Aviator
The crossovers may be riding on an all-new platform, but the Explorer looks little different to the fifth-generation model. The contrast with its Aviator sibling is stark, though.
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Aviator
Ford has also invested significant effort in differentiating their interiors. Both feature a unique dashboard design, and most major design elements are different.
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Aviator
Only high-end versions of the Explorer have this unusual portrait 10.1-inch infotainment screen, cheaper models have a more traditional 8-inch landscape screen. The Aviator, we believe, will only have landscape display.
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Aviator
A 12.3-inch instrumentation screen is standard on the Aviator, and available on the Explorer. Despite being the same screen, the Ford and Lincoln models will have different graphics.
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Aviator
Most switchgear seems to be unique, but both Ford and Lincoln have decided to ditch traditional transmission shifters for the 10-speed automatic.
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Aviator
Sorry to keep harping on about this, but Ford has also put quite a bit of effort into differentiating the cars' powertrain options. The Aviator comes standard with a 400hp (298kW) 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. This is shared with the sporty Explorer ST, although this car has 15 lb-ft (20Nm) of extra torque.
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Aviator
The Aviator also has an exclusive (for now, anyway) 450hp (335kW) plug-in hybrid setup with the same twin-turbo V6. The Explorer is also available with a 300hp (224kW) 2.3-litre turbo 4-cylinder, 365hp (272kW) 3-litre turbo V6, and 318hp (237kW) 3.3-litre V6 hybrid.
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Aviator
We love the look of Lincoln's 'Perfect Position' seats, especially with nice, soft leather. Really makes it a step up from the Ford.
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Aviator
Explorer
Aviator
The Lincoln and Ford both have three rows of seats, and available captain's chairs for the second row.
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Aviator
Trunk space isn't too bad even with all three rows up.
