Used 2022 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Lincoln Aviator is a luxury midsize SUV/crossover with three rows of seating. It’s roomy, quiet, supremely comfortable, and the amount of gadgetry in the upper trim levels is as mind-blowing as it is wallet-worrying.

Short of telling the driver to stay home and relax while it takes the rest of the family to the in-laws for the holidays, the Aviator’s main mission is to remove stress and replace it with fine leather (or at least quite nice simulated leather in the base model), generous cushioning, space to stretch out, and excellent audio systems.

It’s a true luxury vehicle that melds the traditional — like big wheels and big power — with contemporary additions such as advanced driver assistance features, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and smartphone access.

The non-hybrid 2022 Aviator enjoys an extremely healthy 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Although this heart beats strongly, the rest of the body is heavy, about 4,600 pounds.

Not that the Aviator SUV inspires drivers to attack canyon roads. Most of the time, that muscle is flexed during passing maneuvers. But fewer reminders of the Aviator’s weight while driving would be preferable. And we’d prefer less turbo lag as well.

The Grand Touring plug-in hybrid versions have even greater output — 494 horsepower and a mighty 630 lb-ft of torque — but despite the electric motor disguising any turbo lag, this and the battery pack add more bulk.

Both variants have selectable driving modes: Normal, Excite (the sportiest setting), Slippery, and Deep Conditions (for terrain like mud or sand). When linked with the adaptive suspension, body roll through corners is nicely contained, but this feature’s main talent is its ability to read the road and adjust the ride quality for maximum comfort.

How many people does the 2022 Lincoln Aviator seat? With a bench seat in the second row, there are places for seven occupants. Buyers may also choose a pair of captain’s chairs and a center console for that row, which raises the luxury, but only allows accommodation for six.

Most people should be comfortable in the 10-way power-adjustable front seats. The 30-way versions in the Black Label models also have massaging functions. So if they can’t do the trick, book an appointment with a chiropractor.

Lincoln has kept the dashboard neat and tidy, so the 10.1-inch touchscreen stands out in greater contrast. And even the entry-level Aviator has a 12.3-inch digital driver information display.

Other vehicles might ping or beep at you. The Aviator SUV has “symphonic chimes” played by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

There’s ample space in all three rows. However, any adults sitting in the very back will appreciate those in the second row moving their seats forward a tad. Cargo area goes from 18.3 cubic feet behind the third row to 77.7 cubic feet with rows two and three folded. This also applies to the plug-in hybrid variants, so there’s no compromise involved with the extra hardware.

Each beholder will see the beauty or otherwise in the 2022 Aviator. Most of us, though, can agree that it has a presence and carries a certain authority. It looks like a luxury SUV should, with that LED exterior lighting and various alloy-wheel designs that go up to 22 inches in diameter.

The new Appearance package for the base model adds a panoramic sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels. The new colors for this year are Bronze Smoke and Gilded Green, both with a metallic clearcoat finish. The Grand Touring versions also offer Flight Blue with the same finish.

INTERIOR APPOINTMENTS
It gets pretty darn plush in the 2022 Aviator SUV. At the Black Label level, there’s also a choice of design schemes that involve different kinds of wood trim, special leathers, and headliners in red, white, or black.

PHONE AS A KEY
This feature is pretty self-explanatory. The driver’s smartphone will lock and unlock the Aviator, fire up the drivetrain, and operate the windows. If the smartphone has run out of battery, there’s a keypad on the door.

Devoid of any trim name, the entry-level 2022 Aviator still has a generous amount of luxury equipment, such as LED exterior lighting, puddle lamps, powered tailgate, keyless entry/ignition, programmable key, rain-sensing wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated/power-adjustable front seats with driver’s-side memory settings, plus power-folding seats in the second and third rows.

A 10.1-inch touchscreen controls an infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, two USB ports, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker audio system.

Among the safety features are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a washer for the rearview camera.

The lower two trims in the 2022 Aviator range offer all-wheel drive (which is standard higher up). They can also be fitted with features that are included in the pricier models, such as a heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats, and heated wipers.

Reserve trim brings a panoramic sunroof, hands-free tailgate operation, 20-inch alloy wheels, quad-zone automatic climate control, wireless charging, and a 14-speaker Revel audio system. For 2022, this trim and the next-up Black Label become eligible for a head-up display and the Phone As A Key feature.

Plushness grows ever more plentiful. By the time we reach the top Black Label Grand Touring model, there’s the Air Glide suspension with Dynamic Lower Entry that’s enhanced by an adaptive suspension that reads the road, 21-inch alloy wheels, massaging/30-way power-adjustable front seats, a 28-speaker Revel surround-sound system, plus extra driver aids like evasive steering assistance and a self-parking function.

Some of the few extras for this version include a rear-seat entertainment system, a rear console with two more USB ports, Chroma Caviar (dark grey) metallic paint, and a trailer tow package.

The conventional gasoline-fueled setup in the 2022 Aviator consists of a 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard with the base and Reserve trims; all-wheel drive is on the options list. The Black Label model with this engine has drive going to all four wheels.

The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring versions have a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain, where a twin-turbocharged V6/10-speed automatic transmission combination is augmented by an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. All-wheel drive is standard.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this Aviator plug-in hybrid has a maximum range of 21 miles in electric vehicle (EV) mode. Total range from a full charge and a full tank is 460 miles.

How much can the 2022 Lincoln Aviator tow? The conventional combustion method allows a rating of 6,700 pounds. The PHEV model can still handle an impressive 5,600 pounds.

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 (AWD)

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6/electric motor (PHEV Grand Touring versions)
494 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
630 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250 lb-ft
EPA fuel economy combined miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe): 56 MPGe (elec + gas), 23 mpg (gas)