Used 2020 Lincoln Aviator

#11 in Best Midsize Luxury SUVs of 2020

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator boasts gasoline and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options, a luxuriously appointed interior, and seating capacity for up to seven.

Available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Aviator is available with comprehensive tech features such as Lincoln’s “Phone As A Key” technology, myriad standard safety features, an optional adaptive suspension that can read the road and make adjustments as you drive, and world-class styling, the Aviator glides effortlessly into the midsize luxury SUV market.

Both powertrains that propel the new Aviator start with Lincoln’s 3.0-liter V6 gas engine, a well-sorted mill that puts out 400-horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. That power feels adequate on the road, and the new Aviator’s new 10-speed automatic transmission delivers said power effectively, though you do feel it working to move every ounce of the Aviator’s approximate 4,600-pound curb weight.

The second option, the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid version adds a 75-kilowatt motor to that twin-turbo V6, adds all the extra oomph one is left wanting for in the standard gas engine. The electric motor makes a marked difference in power numbers for a combined 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. Power feels immediate and plentiful either off the line or when needing a surge, even at speed.

Both versions of the Aviator we drove were AWD models that offered good control and grip around corners, allowing the 3-row SUV to do its best impression of a smaller, nimbler SUV. The Aviator employs drive modes for different conditions including Normal, Excite (or a more spirited drive experience), Slippery for wet road conditions, and Deep Conditions when drivers experience such things as sand or mud, if they indeed ever experience them.

Bolstered by an available adaptive suspension that monitors the vehicle’s motion, steering, acceleration and braking, and further enhanced with an optional system that seeks out potholes in the road using the forward-facing camera and adjusts the suspension accordingly, the Aviator’s drive quality maintains a comfortable and floaty character.

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The interior space of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator can be described as an airy oasis, with surfaces slathered in lux materials, power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, 3- or 4-zone climate control, and premium audio. Musical chimes and warnings inside the cabin arise compliments of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and inspire auditory delight.

Seats are highly adjustable and comfortable and there’s plenty of room inside the cabin, even for taller passengers. The third row offers room for adult legs when the second row is fully forward.

The exterior design language of the new Aviator reads understated and classy. The Aviator isn’t overwrought with excessive creases in the sheet metal or character lines attempting to convey perceived power. It’s stance on the standard 19-inch wheels has presence without being overly showy or flashy. Even with 21- or 22-inch wheels, the Aviator declares its rightful place in the luxury SUV world with restraint. Its colors such as Iced Mocha Metallic, Burgundy Velvet Metallic, and Infinite Black Metallic present a sophisticated visage.

INTERIOR APPOINTMENT
Lincoln has stepped up its game as of late in the luxury-cabin department. From the fit and finish, seat comfort, customizable tech, optional Black Label design packages, as well as an extraordinary Revel sound system available, there is little left wanting once you slide into the Aviator’s interior.

PHONE AS A KEY
No more key fob in your pocket. With Phone As A Key, your Smartphone acts as your key. It can open the doors, start the car (even remotely) and wind down windows. If your phone runs out of charge, no worries, you can unlock your car using the keypad on the door.

Standard features on the Lincoln Aviator come aplenty including a 10.1-inch touch screen perched atop the center stack, with physical buttons for climate controls, audio volume and drives modes, among other features, intuitively mingling below it and extending to the generous center console. Ambient interior lighting, Lincoln Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot capability, rain-sensing wipers, and a power-fold 3rd-row seat also come standard.

On the new Aviator option interior goodies include a 5.8-inch touch screen in the second row for passengers to control temperature and audio volume, as well as heated and ventilated seats when thusly equipped. Other features such as wireless charging, quad-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, 2nd row captain’s chairs, as well as an upgraded 14-speaker Revel audio system, are also available.

If music is really your jam, the Aviator offers a superb 28-speaker audio system from Revel that sounds as good as any professional recording studio. Add to that the whisper-quiet cabin, thanks to extensive sound dampening measures used throughout the Aviator even in the tires, and you might even be able to record an album in your SUV after dropping the kids off at school.

With the gas-powered Aviator, there is noticeable lag in the twin-turbo V6, and punchier downshifts on that 10-speed would be appreciated, especially in quick acceleration situations, but there are paddle shifters to help the driver facilitate this when needed.

On the PHEV Aviator, power feels more immediate and plentiful both off the line and when needing a surge, even at speed. If a buyer is looking for a more performance-forward SUV in this segment, then the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring hybrid deserves attention. This PHEV has an EPA-estimated range of 460 miles.

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
415 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg (RWD), 17/24 mpg (4WD)

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 Plug-in Hybrid
494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm
630 lb-ft of torque at 2,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 56 MPGe (gas+ electric), 23 mpg (gasoline)