2021 Lincoln Aviator Review
Overview
Lincoln's refreshed lineup has set a new bar for American-style luxury, and a big part of that is due to the mid-size Aviator SUV. Its styling, comfort, and features remind us of the brand's full-size Navigator, but its smaller package makes it more agile and easier to park. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach as high as established European rivals such as the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. Buyers can choose a twin-turbo V-6 engine or a plug-in-hybrid power-train using the same V-6. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. The cabin is upscale, comfortable, and spacious—at least for the first two rows of seats. Plus, Lincoln offers plenty of luxury options such as 30-way adjustable front seats with massage, soft-close doors, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D stereo system, not to mention a bundle of standard driver-assistance features it calls Co-Pilot360.
What's New for 2021?
The Aviator sees only minor changes for 2021, including optional 21- and 22-inch wheel designs, three new colors (Asher Gray, Ocean Drive Blue, and Flight Blue), and an available Monochromatic Reserve appearance package. The Reserve trim receives a panoramic sunroof, and the top-flight Black Label gains soft-close doors. The Elements package—found on the Reserve and Grand Touring models—now comes with heated and ventilated front seats.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Aviator: $52,000 (est)
- Reserve: $57,000 (est)
- Grand Touring: $70,000 (est)
- Black Label: $79,000 (est)
- Grand Touring Black Label: $89,000 (est)
The mid-level Reserve trim is the sweet spot in the lineup, providing all the luxury most buyers need and want without breaking the bank. Standard equipment on the Reserve trim includes four-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera system, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker sound system. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available but costs extra.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Lincoln Aviator's 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 is among the most powerful standard engines in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. The refined 3.0-liter V-6 works with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver both serene cruising and authoritative acceleration. In place of a more powerful V-8 engine as an option, Lincoln offers a plug-in-hybrid model that's known as the Aviator Grand Touring. Using the same V-6 and 10-speed transmission as the standard Aviator, the Grand Touring adds a 100-hp electric motor and a 13.6-kWh battery. The two propulsion sources combine for 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, but the refinement isn't quite up to snuff, with occasional thunks when the drive-line reengages the gas engine. The battery allows the plug-in Aviator to cover about 18 miles in the Pure EV driving mode without using the gas engine, but the 100-hp motor is slow to accelerate the Aviator's heft without help from the engine. Most buyers will use one of the alternative drive modes, which rely heavily on the V-6.
Fuel Economy
The EPA rates the rear-wheel-drive Lincoln Aviator at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; the all-wheel-drive model delivers 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Those numbers place the Aviator's fuel economy just slightly behind that of all-wheel-drive competitors such as the X5, the XC90, and the Audi Q7.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2020 Aviator is available in six- or seven-seat configurations. Buyers who opt for second-row captain's chairs will have a choice of two different center consoles between those seats, one of which allows for easier pass-through to the third row. On trips longer than a few minutes, the back row is suitable only for small children, but that compromise means there's more room for cargo with all seats in their upright position. The Lincoln offers 18 cubic feet of storage space, more than the BMW X5 and Cadillac XT6 provide. Up front, the optional Perfect Position seats offer 30-way adjustability and massaging capability. If you're willing to spend extra for it, a camera behind the windshield scans the road for potholes and other imperfections and sends instructions to the adaptive dampers in order to improve ride quality.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are all standard on the Lincoln Aviator. Compared with other manufacturers that use rotary controllers or multiple touchscreens, Lincoln's single-screen configuration and traditional climate controls are easy to learn and use. On higher trims, a smartphone's Bluetooth signal can be used to unlock and start the Aviator in place of the key. The top-end Revel Ultima 3D audio system has 28 speakers (including some in the headliner).
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Aviator a five-star safety rating, but the folks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) weren't as impressed. The mid-size Lincoln aced most of the agency's testing, but it missed out on the Top Safety Pick award because it scored only Acceptable in the small-overlap front crash test. The Aviator's standard Co-Pilot360 system of driver-assistance technologies includes forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beams, and a rear-view camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Plus adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and a self-parking system that will steer the vehicle into both parallel and perpendicular spots. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance
- Available lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated parking assistance.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
With power-train coverage that extends beyond its four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, the Aviator offers a better warranty than most of its competitors. The Grand Touring plug-in hybrid's unique electric components, such as the motor and battery pack, are covered with an eight-year/100,000-mile guarantee. Buyers who spring for the full-zoot Black Label trim also receive complimentary scheduled maintenance for four years or 50,000 miles.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Power-train warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for four years or 50,000 miles on Black Label models.
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