Compare the2026 Chrysler PacificaVS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Chrysler Pacifica are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lincoln Aviator doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

With its standard Pedestrian Emergency Braking, the Chrysler Pacifica is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Pacifica	Aviator
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-20 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-22 MPH	-15 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	No Slowing	No Slowing

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Pacifica offers optional Emergency Vehicle Alert System, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

The Chrysler Pacifica’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Pacifica 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 seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

	Pacifica	Aviator
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	29%	29.4%
Neck Stress	230 lbs.	275 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	75/194 lbs.	196/188 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	196	236
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	25%	41.4%
Neck Stress	117 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	118 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Chrysler Pacifica is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

	Pacifica	Aviator
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	149 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	66	86

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pacifica is 3.1% to 4.2% less likely to roll over than the Aviator.

Warranty

There are over 5 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pacifica’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Chrysler Pacifica’s reliability 20 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pacifica second among minivans in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Aviator isn’t in the top three in its category.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running on electricity gets better mileage than the Aviator:

			MPGe
Pacifica
	FWD	Hybrid Electric Motor	87 city/77 hwy
Aviator
			MPG
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/25 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Pacifica running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Aviator:

			MPG
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 V6 Hybrid	29 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
Aviator
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/25 hwy

The Pacifica Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Pacifica Hybrid’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 Chrysler Pacifica uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Aviator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Pacifica Hybrid 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.

Transmission

The Pacifica Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Aviator doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Pacifica AWD’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

	Pacifica AWD	Aviator
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.6 inches

The Pacifica stops shorter than the Aviator:

	Pacifica	Aviator
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Pacifica can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Aviator doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pacifica’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Aviator (121.6 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pacifica is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Aviator.

Chassis

The Chrysler Pacifica may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

Passenger Space

The Pacifica offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry up to 7.

The Pacifica has 24.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (165.1 vs. 140.6).

The Pacifica has .5 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 6.5 inches more rear hip room, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom, 7.3 inches more third row legroom, 8.7 inches more third row hip room and 7.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pacifica	Aviator
Behind Third Seat	32.3 cubic feet	16.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	87.5 cubic feet	39.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	140.5 cubic feet	75.9 cubic feet

Ergonomics

The Pacifica’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.

The Pacifica’s standard Keyless-Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the van, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Aviator doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Pacifica’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Aviator’s standard rear swing-out doors are bulky and make loading in tight spots difficult.

The Pacifica’s power side sliding doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Aviator doesn’t offer a power rear door.

Consumer Reports rated the Pacifica’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

When the Pacifica Select Premium/Limited/Pinnacle 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.

Recommendations

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Pacifica as the 2017 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Aviator has never been chosen.

The Chrysler Pacifica outsold the Lincoln Aviator by over four to one during 2024.

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