2025 Lincoln Aviator Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Packaged atop a rear-wheel-drive platform it shares with the Ford Explorer, the Lincoln Aviator benefits from classic design proportions. It features a blunt nose, a short front overhang, an appealing dash-to-axle ratio, and a tapered roofline and greenhouse that may compromise third-row passenger room but creates an alluring silhouette. For an SUV, of course.

It is a fundamentally appealing design, more like a sports wagon than an SUV. However, we find the tweaked 2025 styling to be less elegant and more generic than before, especially with the test vehicle’s optional Jet Appearance Package.

Open any of its doors, which employ electronic releases in the inner part of the door handle that can pinch your skin, and a plush interior exuding a classic architectural sensibility awaits. Unlike in a Lincoln Nautilus or Navigator, the Aviator doesn’t try to wow you with screens, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t technologically advanced. We like the more traditional approach in the Aviator just fine.

If there’s a stumble here, it lies with the Aviator’s remote keyless entry fob. Lightweight but too large, it is made of cheap plastic with even cheaper-looking chrome detailing, and is a poor representation of the brand. On a positive note, this may encourage you to use the Aviator’s Phone as a Key technology or the touchpad entry system embedded in the door frame.

Lincoln offers the 2025 Aviator in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels, with prices ranging from $60,990 to $89,090, including the $1,695 destination charge. Our test vehicle arrived in Reserve trim with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), extra-cost Whisper Blue paint, and a center console between the second-row captain’s chairs. Additionally, Lincoln equipped it with Reserve II, Jet Appearance, and Dynamic Handling option packages. It had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $83,550, including the destination charge.

The Reserve II Package equipped our Aviator with numerous desirable features. The highlights included upgraded exterior lighting, 30-way-adjustable Perfect Position front seats with massage, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a 28-speaker Revel Ultima high-end audio system, and a set of 22-inch wheels.

A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine is your only powertrain option, and it’s a great one unless you’re concerned about fuel economy. It supplies 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, delivered to the rear or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Drivers can choose between Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions driving modes. Additionally, our test vehicle had adaptive air suspension, which firmed up when driving the SUV in Excite mode. Even then, the Aviator wasn’t very exciting to drive, and that’s OK because this SUV has a different mission to accomplish. Mainly, we evaluated the Aviator in Normal mode.

The twin-turbo V6 has plenty of power when accelerating hard from a stop, and if you’re already moving and want to pass slower vehicles, the transmission downshifts swiftly and gets this luxury SUV past dawdlers with haste. The official EPA fuel economy rating is 20 mpg in combined driving, but we observed a disappointing 17.7 mpg on our mountainous Southern California testing loop.

Thanks to relatively thin windshield pillars, large sideview mirrors, and a nearly unobstructed view to the rear when the third-row seat is folded down, the Aviator offers clear sightlines in almost every direction. In the city, we especially appreciated the test vehicle’s 360-degree camera view when parallel parking.

In urban and suburban settings, the ride quality is pleasant until you encounter a larger bump, crack, or hole in the road. The heavy 22-inch wheels and thinly sidewalled P275/40R22 tires don’t take kindly to anything other than glass-smooth pavement.

On Los Angeles freeways, the adaptive air suspension could not entirely filter the effect they had on the ride, and the oversized tires generated noticeable road noise. That’s unfortunate, because otherwise, the Aviator is remarkably quiet inside, even for a luxury SUV. Standard wheel sizes are 20-inch for Reserve models, 21-inch for Premiere trim and 22-inch for Black Label models.

Though our test vehicle had the optional Dynamic Handling Package, nothing about the Aviator’s driving character encourages you to hustle it, unlike the equivalently powered Ford Explorer ST. There is a heavy, syrupy feel to the steering, and the ride and handling simply don’t impart athleticism. Excite mode helps a little, but that’s antithetical to Lincoln’s purpose.

Instead, the adaptive Air Glide suspension is adept at canceling out excessive body motions on whoops and dips, as well as controlling body roll in curves. Essentially, it eliminates any slop in the ride and handling to ensure the SUV feels secure in its role as a composed and calming cruiser. And while that twin-turbo V6 and the giant tires ensure it can go fast if that’s what you want, know there is little reward in driving an Aviator that way.

It takes some time to find a just-right position in the Aviator’s available Perfect Position front seats but, when you achieve it, few luxury SUVs can match this Lincoln for comfort. With 30 ways to move the seat, heating, ventilation, and massage, you should find your bliss no matter the weather outside.

The test vehicle’s individual second-row captain’s chairs are almost as satisfying. They don’t adjust nearly as much and lack massage functions, but they’re nevertheless roomy, supportive, and include heating and ventilation. Our test model’s quad-zone automatic climate control system ensured everyone in a family of four had a say in their temperature setting.

If you plan to regularly carry adults in the third-row seat, you might want to choose a different vehicle or upgrade to a Lincoln Navigator. In the Aviator, the third-row seat cushions are low, flat, and unsupportive. Additionally, even if you ask the second-row passengers to slide forward a little, legroom remains tight. Kids won’t mind riding back there, especially since the large side windows provide a good view out. But teens and grown-ups will make their displeasure known.

Storage space aboard the Aviator is excellent. The center console features a smartphone charging pad, a tray for keys, and cupholders, all hidden behind covers if that’s your preference. Lincoln locates a tray under the console, and beneath the armrest is a sizable bin with trays to help keep things organized.

Impressively, all four door panel storage pockets are deep, easily accommodating smaller umbrellas. Our test vehicle also featured an optional console between the second-row seats, providing additional space, a set of cupholders, and a convenient tray for passenger use. Oddly, though, side window sunshades were missing, an odd omission for a luxury SUV.

When you use the third-row seat, the Aviator provides 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. That’s more than you’ll find in some of the Lincoln’s rivals, and the floor space is relatively generous. Additionally, there is a large compartment under the load floor, which can easily accommodate the spoils from a grocery store run.

Fold the third row down, and you’ll create 42.7 cu-ft of cargo space, which is plenty for a multi-week family road trip. Maximum cargo capacity measures 78.6 cu-ft, which is not as much as you’ll find in some of the Aviator’s competitors but still practical.

Step into the 2025 Aviator’s driver seat, and you’ll face a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster in a traditional location. It is easy to see and relatively easy to use once you understand how the steering controls work.

Sitting proudly atop the dashboard’s center air vents, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system provides access to entertainment, navigation, vehicle settings, and the climate control system. It is reasonably straightforward to use, in part because the new Lincoln Digital Experience technology powers it.

Lincoln Digital Experience equips the tech with Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, while also supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In theory, this means it should be effortless to make conversational voice requests, thereby minimizing distractions.

That was not the case in our test vehicle, as the Google Assistant seemed capable of responding to voice prompts only with: “Sorry, I didn’t understand.” We’ve used Lincoln Digital Experience in the Navigator, so we know the technology is capable. Something in the test vehicle was not set up correctly. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because the wireless Apple CarPlay and Siri worked just fine, rendering the Lincoln Digital Experience platform largely irrelevant.

We spotted an app within the system called Elevated Journey, which contained Mindful Driving and Calm playlists. Expecting chill music or soothing ambient sounds, we tried them out only to discover meditative mindfulness coaching for the road. We can see how it might help someone who is super-stressed.

Whether you’re on an Elevated Journey, listening to podcasts, or streaming music, the 28-speaker high-end Revel Ultima 3D sound system is terrific. It looks the part, too, with metal speaker grilles featuring a spiral pattern.

Additionally, we must praise the Aviator’s available head-up display. Equipped with a widescreen presentation of data, including warnings regarding lane departures and other vehicles in the SUV’s blind spots, we think it is one of the best technologies of its kind.

Thanks to its standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 collection of advanced driver assistance systems, the 2025 Aviator includes all of the safety features you expect in a modern luxury SUV. The list is extensive, but the more unusual highlights include active blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse braking assist.

We had to turn the reverse braking assist system off because it could not back out of an angled driveway at any speed except an utter crawl without bringing the SUV to a violent halt. This is fairly common with these systems, which in this particular driveway appear to perceive the street surface as an obstacle.

Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist are standard features, and, for the most part, they work unobtrusively. We evaluated the tech on Pacific Coast Highway, and it successfully guided the Aviator through some challenging situations that can flummox similar systems. On occasion, usually in curves, we had to override the tech’s inputs, which was easy to do.

BlueCruise is also standard on the 2025 Aviator, and it includes a complimentary four-year subscription to the service. It is a hands-free driving assistance system that works on approved, limited-access highways known as Blue Zones. If you’re driving on one and set the cruise control, BlueCruise will automatically activate, making its operation status crystal clear to the driver through the digital instrumentation and, when equipped, the head-up display.

We think BlueCruise is one of the best technologies of its kind. During our evaluation in the Aviator, it appeared to be more proactive than before about handing control over to a driver when necessary. Previously, that would occur after the vehicle entered a challenging curve or construction zone. Now, the tech is proactive in predicting when driver control will be necessary.

Another thing we like about the Aviator’s BlueCruise system is that it notifies the driver when an automated lane change is available, but doesn’t automatically execute it without the driver's approval by signaling the lane change. Why is that preferable? Because if your exit is coming up soon, the last thing you want your car to do is automatically change into the passing lane and speed up.

Lincoln could improve its safety technology by providing blind-spot warnings on the head-up display without requiring the use of the turn signal. That’s how it works in a Hyundai, Kia, or Mazda, and it is genuinely helpful. In the Lincoln, the blind-spot warning shows only if the driver signals a lane change first.

Based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Aviator earns five-star ratings across the board, plus a four-star rating for its ability to resist a rollover accident. In addition, the SUV receives Good ratings in all completed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations. Those ratings indicate that this Lincoln is a safe SUV in the event of a collision.

With a starting price of over $60,000 and an as-tested price of over $80,000, the Lincoln Aviator isn’t cheap. Rivals from Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus offer more affordable options. However, European alternatives like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 carry slightly higher base prices, while models like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS start at a higher price than our loaded-up test vehicle.

Does that mean there is value to be had in this Lincoln? It depends on what you’re cross-shopping. But with four years of free access to BlueCruise, competitive warranty coverage, complimentary valet pick-up and drop-off service for scheduled maintenance, and other ownership benefits baked into the Aviator, the value equation improves.

Where the Lincoln falls short is in fuel economy. While the twin-turbo V6 is a terrific engine, it’s not very efficient. If that matters, and you’re planning to spend around $80,000 anyway, consider the Lexus TX Plug-in Hybrid or the Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid.

Additionally, the Aviator is not the ideal choice for those who enjoy driving. Sure, it’s speedy in a straight line, but aside from the impact harshness due to the available 22-inch wheels, it anesthetizes feedback from the road, which is entirely on brand for a Lincoln SUV. In that case, your alternatives might include the Acura MDX Type S or the Audi SQ7.

Overall, though, Lincoln gets a lot right with the 2025 Aviator. From its stylish appearance and available comfort features to its modern technology and impressive safety ratings, it is a solid choice in the midsize three-row luxury SUV segment.