Compare the2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9VS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Ioniq 9 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Aviator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Ioniq 9 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lincoln Aviator has not been tested.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 comes with a standard Surround View Monitor, while the Lincoln Aviator doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Ioniq 9 and the Aviator 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 around view monitors.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 weighs 645 to 1263 pounds more than the Lincoln Aviator. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Aviator is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The Ioniq 9 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Aviator’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 9 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lincoln covers the Aviator. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Aviator ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Ioniq 9’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Aviator’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 78 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq 9’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

The Ioniq 9 SE/SEL’s standard electric motors produces 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (446 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy’s standard electric motors produces 22 more horsepower (422 vs. 400) and 101 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy electric motors is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq 9 gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The Ioniq 9 can travel with zero emissions for 311 to 335 miles (dependent on model). The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Ioniq 9’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Ioniq 9 has a standard locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Aviator. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage; a locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Ioniq 9 higher (10 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5). This means the Ioniq 9 produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Ioniq 9’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The Ioniq 9 stops shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (285/45R21 vs. 275/40R22).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq 9’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the Aviator (123.2 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

The Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Design handles at .84 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Design executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Aviator Reserve AWD (26.2 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The Ioniq 9 has 22.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (163.5 vs. 140.6).

The Ioniq 9 has .3 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more third row headroom, 2.8 inches more third row legroom, .9 inches more third row hip room and 1 inch more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ioniq 9’s middle and third row seats recline. The Aviator’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Ioniq 9’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

The Ioniq 9’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Aviator’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

When the Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Aviator.

The Ioniq 9 Calligraphy’s Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Aviator (except Premiere)’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.