2003 Lincoln Aviator Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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In an effort to attract younger, perhaps childless buyers into their fold, Lincoln introduced the 2003 Aviator, a midsize luxury SUV that's a shorter (by one foot) and lighter (by 1,000 pounds) version of its popular full-size Navigator. The 2003 Lincoln Aviator mimics its big brother in style and luxury and takes its body-on-frame platform and independent rear suspension from the Ford Explorer. Unlike the Explorer, it comes standard with a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 that delivers 302-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. Mated to a 5-speed shiftable automatic, it gives the luxury SUV decent towing capacity - up to 7,300 pounds with the optional trailer hitch. The base Luxury and Premium trims are offered in either rear-wheel drive or two forms of all-wheel drive. The automatic full-time AWD apportions torque to the front and rear, while the optional AdvanceTrac system adds torque distribution from side to side. Neither are meant for off-roading, as they lack low-range gearing.
Trying to compete with the BMW X5 and Mercedes' M class of SUVs, the 2003 Aviator offers plenty of bells and whistles. These include creamy leather upholstery, power seats with memory, power pedals, a CD player, steering-wheel-mounted controls, rear climate control, and heated seats. The Premium adds heated and cooled seats and a 6-CD changer. Options add on a sunroof and DVD player. Safety is provided by standard ABS brakes, mirrors with turn signals, foglights, backup sensors, and dual front and side curtain airbags. Traction and stability control and a tire monitor are optional. A nice distinction from the Explorer is the three rows of seats, not often seen in a midsize SUV. Though the third row can be cramped and drastically cuts down on cargo space when upright (only 12 cubic feet), it does offer versatility for young families. The 2003 Aviator seats six, with second-row captain's chairs divided by a flip-up console and a third-row bench for two. Adding the optional second-row bench seat increases passenger capacity to seven. Both seat rows fold nearly flat to offer 77 cubic feet of cargo room.
Although its styling is a virtual carbon copy of the Navigator's, with its large chrome grille and interior wood and satin nickel finish, the 2003 Aviator offers a good compromise between luxury, versatility, and utility. Drivers love the V8 power and acceleration and say the rack-and-pinion steering and independent rear suspension make the SUV easy to drive and handle. They also like the long list of luxury features, particularly the heated/cooled seats. The biggest complaints focused on money - both the initial pricetag and its terrible fuel economy. Many owners don't like the fact that the cargo area's floor slopes upward and the rear seats don't fold flat. They also report numerous repairs to the SUV, though not on any one consistent part.
User reviews for 2003 Lincoln Aviator
Write a review2003 Lincoln Aviator Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint · Running boards: body color
In Car Entertainment
Video system: DVD player
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Audiophile · AM/FM radio · 290 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73
Exterior Features
Running boards: body color
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.73
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint · Running boards: body color
In Car Entertainment
Video system: DVD player
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones · Second and third row rear heat vents
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Audiophile · AM/FM radio · 290 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: adjustable pedals · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.73
Exterior Features
Running boards: body color
Lights
Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class II
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent
