New & Used 2026 Lincoln Aviator for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

Is the 2026 Lincoln Aviator a good car?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator earns a 7.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

It builds on the Ford Explorer’s strengths while adding a more upscale feel, so you’re getting a comfort-first three-row luxury SUV rather than a sporty one. The Aviator’s smooth ride and cossetting interior are the big draws, and it also keeps the Explorer’s more potent optional engine and decent towing capacity.

The trade-offs are clear: handling is awkward, and the third row is not especially comfortable. It’s best if you want a relaxing cabin, more style, and a premium step-up feel rather than sharp dynamics or maximum passenger space.

Good and great deals make up 32.3% of listings, which suggests there’s at least some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is built around a smooth, strong twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and a 10-speed automatic, and the powertrain stays in the background most of the time. It’s tuned for comfort first, with adaptive dampers that prioritize a forgiving ride over aggressive handling.

Lincoln also includes a broad standard safety and driver-assistance package, which helps reduce day-to-day ownership stress. The standard equipment list is extensive, and the available BlueCruise hands-free highway system adds another layer of convenience on longer drives.

The cost side is less reassuring: fuel economy is modest, and the Aviator is positioned as a premium SUV with premium pricing. For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is mainly about accepting higher running costs in exchange for luxury and comfort.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Lincoln Aviator?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Focus on cabin condition, electronics operation, and whether the vehicle’s comfort features and driver-assistance systems work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premiere uses synthetic leather upholstery, while the Reserve upgrades to leather and adds more luxury equipment. The Black Label goes further with curated interior themes and the most upscale materials, but it also carries the biggest price jump.
• Powertrain: Every Aviator uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, AWD is optional on Premiere and Reserve, and standard on Black Label.
• Safety package: Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 is standard and includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-centering steering, high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking, a driver-attention monitor, a surround-view camera system, and four years of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. The headline gap is that the available crash-test result lacks a headlight rating, which keeps it from earning a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. Standard tech includes Google Assistant and Google Play access, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, digital key functionality, a satellite radio trial, eight USB ports, a universal garage door opener, and a 10-speaker audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Aviator is EPA-rated at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Lincoln Aviator trim should I buy?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is offered in 3 trim levels: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label.

Here's the short version:

• Premiere: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the Aviator’s core luxury feel, standard safety tech, and the twin-turbo V6. It makes sense if you want the least expensive way into the model and can live without the richer cabin upgrades.
• Reserve: This is the best-value trim. It adds real leather upholstery, LED fog lights, ambient lighting, quad-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, a head-up display, a Revel 14-speaker audio system, a wireless phone charger, and larger 21-inch wheels. It’s the sweet spot if you want the Aviator’s upscale character without jumping to Black Label pricing.
• Black Label: This is the plushest version, with curated interior themes, standard AWD, heated and ventilated rear seats, a 30-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and 22-inch wheels. Choose it if you want the most luxurious Aviator and are comfortable paying for it.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, so you don’t need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Lincoln Aviator?

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 697 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.0% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Lincoln Aviator safe?

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator earns five-star ratings from NHTSA and Good scores in the small front overlap, updated moderate front overlap, updated side crash tests, and pedestrian front crash prevention from IIHS.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 is standard, and it includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-centering steering, high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking, a driver-attention monitor, a surround-view camera system, and four years of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving.

The main caveat is that the Aviator lacks a headlight rating, so it cannot qualify for a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award.

Should I buy a 2026 Lincoln Aviator or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It keeps the Explorer’s stronger optional engine while adding a more upscale, comfort-focused cabin.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It offers a calm, distinctive luxury feel with advanced technology and a simplified V6-only lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the most comfort-focused and upscale version of the Aviator formula, the 2026 is the one to target. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2025 can still deliver the same basic luxury-SUV appeal with a similar character.

How does the 2026 Lincoln Aviator compare to the 2026 Ford Explorer?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2026 Lincoln Aviator:

• Pros: Smooth ride, Cossetting interior, Decent towing capacity.
• Cons: Awkward handling, Poor third-row comfort, It’s a pricey version of a Ford Explorer.

2026 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Comfortable, Optional twin-turbo V6, Impressive safety ratings.
• Cons: Bland styling, Nondescript interior, Gets expensive with options.

Our experts score the 2026 Lincoln Aviator 7.7/10 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 7.5/10. The Aviator is the more luxurious choice, with a richer cabin and a smoother, more comfort-oriented personality. The Explorer is the more affordable starting point and still offers strong safety and an optional twin-turbo V6, but it doesn’t feel as upscale.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.