2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

When shopping for a 2023 Lincoln Aviator, buyers first had to decide on the powertrain. The standard option was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The Aviator Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models combined this V6 with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The top-tier Black Label Grand Touring model, with an optional $750 paint job, had an MSRP of $91,225.

The Aviator was a stylish three-row, midsize SUV, featuring Lincoln's modern design language. However, the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain, especially when paired with white paint. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring's cabin was opulent, with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. Despite the high-end materials, some chrome detailing and the key fob felt cheap. The SUV's Phone As A Key technology was a notable feature.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. The interior featured a minimalist design with a feeling of quality, even in the base ID.4 Standard model. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023. The ID.4's interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, providing a comfortable and refined experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, was not just about efficiency. Its drivetrain produced an impressive 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm, despite the added weight of the electric motor and battery. The EPA estimated a 21-mile electric driving range, with a combined 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The battery could recharge in under four hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charging station. Various driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowed for optimal powertrain performance.

During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator Grand Touring covered 22.3 miles on electric power alone, achieving a fuel economy equivalent to 163.4 mpg. Over a total of 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg. The SUV's twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, but the drivetrain's responsiveness was sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal also exhibited inconsistent behavior due to the regenerative braking system. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with an adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension, managed the SUV's weight well, providing a smooth and quiet ride. However, it lacked the fun-to-drive factor, even in the Excite driving mode.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models retained the 82-kWh pack, with options for RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling.

The ID.4's AWD version had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R, but it lacked the handling prowess. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. The regenerative braking system did not support one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for EV newcomers. The ID.4 was a great choice for long drives, but it wasn't as engaging on challenging roads.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The massaging, 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and rear-passenger controls.

However, the Aviator's third-row seat was not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The third-row seats were best folded down, providing 41.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third-row seats in use, cargo space was limited to 18.3 cubic feet. Maximum cargo capacity was 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom and headroom. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of interior space, it was the most practical among entry-level EVs.

The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats was also available.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, starting with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran on Lincoln's outdated Sync 3 software, which had issues with voice recognition and point-of-interest database accuracy.

The Aviator featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and the Phone As A Key digital key system. Digital instrumentation and a comprehensive head-up display were standard. The front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were useful, and the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system could park the SUV autonomously.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard.

The ID.4's user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting and lacked physical feedback. The ID.Light system, part ambient lighting and part AI assistant, provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with various Co-Pilot360 driver aid packages, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle had features like automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

The Aviator's driver aids performed well on straight highways with light traffic but struggled in dense traffic and wide freeways. The steering wheel controls for these features were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the Grand Touring model had not been rated.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The only blemish was an "Average" score for the standard headlights.

The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. Emergency Assist 3.0 and Park Assist Plus automated parking were also standard for 2023.