Compare the2026 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Aviator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

With its standard front crash prevention, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available 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 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback is 3.4% to 3.8% less likely to roll over than the Aviator.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Aviator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q4 e-tron Sportback for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lincoln doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Aviator. (Lincoln offers free mainteance on some Aviator models.)

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s reliability 26 points higher than the Aviator.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (536 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is faster than the Lincoln Aviator:

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the Aviator:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback can travel with zero emissions for 258 miles. The Aviator can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Aviator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback higher (10 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5). This means the Q4 e-tron Sportback produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 55 series tires.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback handles at .81 G’s, while the Aviator AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Aviator Reserve AWD (26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 1 foot, 7.1 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 6.2 inches narrower than the Aviator, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the Aviator with its rear seat up (26.1 vs. 16.5 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Aviator doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Aviator doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Q4 e-tron Sportback with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Aviator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.