The Lincoln Aviator is a midsize, three-row SUV that can seat up to seven people. The Aviator SUV first made a brief appearance in Lincoln’s lineup between 2003 and 2005 but was not made or sold again until the 2020 model year. As did its predecessor, the 2020 Aviator mirrors the look of its big brother, the Lincoln Navigator. While not explicitly marketed as the Lincoln MKC replacement, it took its place in the company’s catalog between the smaller Nautilus and larger Navigator. 

Discontinued after a short, single generation run in the early 2000s, the Aviator makes its triumphant return as a sleek baby Navigator for 2020.  Lincoln

The Aviator is offered in four trims for 2020: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring and the ultra-premium Black Label and Black Label Grand Touring. Two powertrains are on offer. The Standard and Reserve trims feature a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque powers. The Aviator Grand Touring versions, however,  come with a hybrid powertrain that combines the twin-turbo V6 with a plug-in hybrid system that delivers 494 total horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains pair with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Aviator models powered by the standard V6 engine come with rear-wheel drive standard with all-wheel drive available. The Grand Touring and Black Label editions model come with standard all-wheel drive.

The Aviator is more potent than it needs to be in any configuration, especially for a vehicle so large, but the 494-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain makes it almost shockingly quick. Both engines easily outpower most of the Aviator’s competition, by dozens of horses in many cases. But they’re both smooth and compliant at almost any speed, and unless the driver has a foot buried in the throttle, it’s nearly impossible to hear what’s going on under the hood.

A hybrid model, which is only available with all-wheel drive, pairs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with a 13.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor.  Lincoln

The ten-speed automatic transmission picks gears obediently and is quick to downshift for better acceleration. It’s never confused or sluggish and cracks off shifts smoothly. Because the Aviator is so big and the engines so powerful, the transmission does what it can to keep fuel economy in check, which means that it opts for the highest gear possible in most cases.

A trailer towing package with a class IV two-inch receiver and wiring harness, trailer sway control and additional towing tech is available. So equipped, the standard Aviator is rated to tow 6700 pounds and the Hybrid versions are rated to tow 5600 pounds.  

Standard interior features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, a 10-speaker audio system, heated 10-way power front seats, and more.  Lincoln 

Inside, the Aviator makes virtuous use of its size. Front-seat legroom and headroom are both excellent, and the power seat controls’ location on the door makes it easy to change position without fumbling around on the side of the seat. The center stack is handsome, with wood and metal trim that give it a unique and upscale look. Lincoln opted for a push-button gear shifter, which in the Aviator is mounted directly below the infotainment screen and center climate vents. It takes some orientation, but its operation becomes second nature in short order.  

Rear-seat passengers will find a simple but comfortable space that has more than enough room for adults and children in large car seats. Optional captain’s chairs cut the middle seat out of the equation, but open up space in between for a storage console. Parents will also enjoy the fact that children riding in captain’s chairs have a few inches of extra distance between them to ease any back seat conflicts.

If there’s a weak spot in the Aviator’s interior, it’s the third-row seats. With thin padding and an awkwardly low seating position, the seats are best reserved for kids, and even then best reserved for short trips. That demerit is tempered by the Aviator’s spacious cargo hold, which measures in at 41.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 18.3 cubic feet with the third row in the upright position.

The Black Label, which is described as “the highest expression of Lincoln,” includes a panoramic sunroof, active noise control, a head-up display, soft-close doors, 30-way power front seats, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, and several slight exterior alterations for differentiation.  Lincoln

Despite its generous list of safety features and driver aids, the Aviator missed out on a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That’s due in part to its crash test results, where it earned an Acceptable rating in small overlap front driver-side crashworthiness. It was rated Good in most other categories, except for the headlights, where it received a Marginal rating in some configurations. The NHTSA, however, gives the Aviator an overall five-star rating. 

As is to be expected of a proper Lincoln, the options list is ample. Key highlights include a panoramic glass roof, 20-, 21- and 22- inch wheel options (standard trim wheels are 19-inch), a Revel audio system and the Dynamic Handling package with adaptive suspension and steering. But that’s just taste of the menu. 

The Aviator favors understated elegance over overt style.  Lincoln

The car-buying public has moved dramatically toward crossovers and SUVs in the last few years, and Lincoln has cleverly positioned itself as a purveyor of upscale crossovers and SUVs with its small lineup.  The Aviator, with its uptown looks, plush interior, cavernous interior space and robust engines, makes a compelling case and offers a solid alternative to pricier German luxury vehicles.