Compare

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator

2026 Lexus RX vs 2026 Lincoln Aviator — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Lexus RX

2026 Lexus RX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 2Lexus RX wins 4 of 6 categories
Lincoln Aviator

2026 Lincoln Aviator

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Lexus RX is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 21 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $900 a year less in fuel for the Lexus RX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Lincoln Aviator is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus RX has had fewer recall campaigns (26 vs 51).

The two cars

The 2026 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 200 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,969 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2022 RX and the 2024 Aviator have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 RX and the 2020 Aviator.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

36 MPG
Best combined MPG
21 MPG
37 city
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
$2,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,200

Performance & space

275 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
5
Seats (most)
–
192.5 in
Length
199.6 in
75.6 in
Width
79.5 in
67.3 in
Height
69.3 in
4,288 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,852 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
13
3
Recalls (2026)
6
26
Recalls, all years since 2005
51
12
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

22,684
Wikipedia views, 30 days
5,928

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2024
2017
Year to avoid
2020

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Lexus RX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 21 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (26 vs 51 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Lincoln Aviator if…

  • You want more room (7 in longer)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Lexus RX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 275 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Lincoln Aviator

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Lexus RX specs →Full 2026 Lincoln Aviator specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →