Compare the2026 Lincoln AviatorVS 2026 Genesis GV80

The Lincoln Aviator has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GV80 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Compared to metal, the Aviator’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Aviator and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Genesis GV80:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Aviator’s warranty.

The Lincoln Aviator’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the GV80’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Aviator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The GV80 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 100 more horsepower (400 vs. 300) and 104 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 311) than the GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 391) than the GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Aviator is faster than the Genesis GV80:

On the EPA test cycle the Aviator AWD gets better fuel mileage than the GV80 3.5T 3.5 turbo V6 (17 city/25 hwy vs. 16 city/22 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Aviator uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GV80 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Aviator has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GV80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Aviator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the GV80.

For better traction, the Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GV80 (275/40R22 vs. 265/40R22).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Aviator has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the GV80.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Aviator’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the GV80 (119.1 inches vs. 116.3 inches).

The Aviator Reserve AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the GV80 AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Aviator has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.6 inches more third row headroom and .8 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

The Aviator’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Aviator uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

If the windows are left open on the Aviator the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Aviator’s exterior PIN entry system. The GV80 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Aviator’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Aviator (except Premiere) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Aviator (except Premiere) also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Aviator 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 is only available on the GV80 SELECT/ADVANCED/PRESTIGE.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lincoln Aviator retains 45.62% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 45.07% resale value of the 2025 Genesis GV80 after five years, which can save the Lincoln’s owner.

The Lincoln Aviator outsold the Genesis GV80 by 428 units during 2024.