The Q7’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 Assist, the Audi Q7 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Lincoln Aviator, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
|
Q7 |
Aviator |
Overall Evaluation |
ACCEPTABLE |
MARGINAL |
|
Crossing Child - DAY |
|
25 MPH |
AVOIDED |
-21 MPH |
|
Crossing Adult - NIGHT |
|
12 MPH Brights |
AVOIDED |
AVOIDED |
12 MPH Low beams |
AVOIDED |
-9 MPH |
25 MPH Brights |
-23 MPH |
-20 MPH |
25 MPH Low beams |
AVOIDED |
-9 MPH |
|
Parallel Adult - NIGHT |
|
25 MPH Brights |
AVOIDED |
-18 MPH |
25 MPH Low beams |
AVOIDED |
-4 MPH |
37 MPH Brights |
-36 MPH |
-15 MPH |
Warning Issued-Brights |
2 sec |
1.4 sec |
37 MPH Low beams |
-31 MPH |
No Slowing |
Warning Issued-Low beams |
1.9 sec |
.4 sec |
In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi Q7 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second 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.
To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q7. But it costs extra on the Aviator.
Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q7 has Car-to-X Services, 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 infrastructure.
The Audi Q7’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 Q7 and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 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 Audi Q7 is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:
|
Q7 |
Aviator |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Chest Movement |
.8 inches |
.9 inches |
Abdominal Force |
128 lbs. |
161 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Hip Force |
557 lbs. |
573 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The Audi Q7 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 an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Aviator is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.