Lincoln Aviator 2023 price

Reviewed by Nicole WakelinNicole Wakelin

Overview

The Lincoln Aviator is the second-largest vehicle in the Lincoln lineup, slotting in between the full-size Navigator and the smaller Nautilus. There's seating for up to seven passengers or six with the optional second-row captain's chairs. In either configuration, the third row is a tight fit best reserved for kids. The Aviator's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine provides adequate power but doesn't deliver aggressive acceleration. A plug-in hybrid powertrain is available for better fuel efficiency. Lincoln puts its focus on passenger comfort rather than performance, so if driver engagement is what you're after, consider the three-row Audi Q7 or the BMW X7. There's also the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which combines performance and luxury in an exceptionally beautiful package.

Pros

Luxurious interior. Strong V6 engine. Plug-in hybrid option.

Cons

Third row is snug for adults. European rivals offer a more engaging drive.

Verdict

The Lincoln Aviator provides elegant styling with a luxurious interior packed full of features. This three-row SUV delivers a smooth, comfortable ride, but isn't as athletic as some of its competitors.

What's New for 2023

Just three years into production, the Lincoln Aviator carries forward largely unchanged. There's a new Black Label Special Edition Luxe package, and the Jet package is now available on the Reserve and Black Label trims. There's also a new Diamond Red Tri-Coat paint.

Trims and Pricing

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator is available in five trim levels: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Reserve is the most popular, and it's our recommendation as well. We'll explain why.

Standard

Starting at $52,975 (including a $1,095 destination fee), the Aviator is powered by a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with rear-wheel drive. Standard features include three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 10-speaker audio system, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, Alexa, four USB ports, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Options include 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, heated wiper blades, a panoramic sunroof, second-row captain's chairs, and all-wheel drive.

Reserve

The Reserve trim begins at $58,870. Its upgrades include quad-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, second-row captain's chairs, and leather upholstery. Adaptive suspension, evasive steering assist, reverse brake assist, 22-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, and phone as key are optional. This trim is our pick of the lineup for its substantial number of upgrades without crossing $60K.

Grand Touring

Starting at $69,875, the Grand Touring's primary upgrades are a 494-hp hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. Additional standard features include 21-inch wheels, a dark "smoke" grille finish, and noise cancellation for the interior.

Black Label

The Black Label trim is priced at $80,870. It has the standard 400-hp engine but upgrades the Aviator's interior with premium leather, heated and ventilated 30-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and heated windshield wipers. Other features include adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, rear sunshades, soft-close doors, and a 28-speaker Revel audio system. An adaptive air suspension is optional.

Black Label Grand Touring

The range-topping Black Label Grand Touring starts at $89,425. It provides the same features as the standard Black Label, but it gets the Grand Touring's hybrid powertrain. It also includes an adaptive air suspension.

Engine and Performance

The standard engine in the rear-wheel-drive Lincoln Aviator is a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder that provides plenty of muscle to merge onto the highway and pass with ease. The Grand Touring models boast a 494-hp hybrid powertrain that combines the 3.0-liter engine with an electric motor that allows for up to 21 miles of all-electric range. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Aviator's base and Reserve models can be outfitted with all-wheel drive, while it is standard on upper trims. The Aviator comes with five drive modes — Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions — that adapt the SUV's throttle to the terrain. The Grand Touring models have two additional modes for electric driving — Pure EV and Preserve EV — to optimize their use of electric energy. The relatively modest electric range of the plug-in hybrid drivetrain is a nice feature around town. Still, the added power isn't a notable upgrade over the already robust base engine.

The Audi Q7 offers two turbocharged gas engines that deliver strong performance but has no hybrid option. The BMW X7 has three engine options that provide aggressive acceleration with up to 612 hp. The Mercedes-Benz GLE has four powertrains, none of which are a hybrid, but all offer strong performance.

Fuel Economy

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Lincoln Aviator's base model and Reserve trim deliver 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is average for the luxury midsize-SUV segment. Fuel economy estimates drop to 17/24 mpg city/highway for Aviator Black Label models. The hybrid Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring are rated at 23 mpg combined with an electric-only range of 21 miles.

The Audi Q7 and BMW X7 both have comparable fuel economy, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE has slightly higher ratings. However, the Aviator hybrid trims are the most fuel-efficient.

Interior

The three-row Lincoln Aviator is designed to seat up to seven people, but the third row is best suited for children. The second-row bench seat can be swapped for plush captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to six. The spacious cabin is outfitted with high-quality materials, such as brushed aluminum accents and soft-touch surfaces, for a refined look that rivals offerings from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The available 30-way-adjustable seats are some of the best in the industry, and the overall design is user-friendly.

The Aviator provides above-average cargo space for the segment. It has 18.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 77.7 cubic feet with both rows folded down. A hands-free liftgate is available.

The BMW X7 has only 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row but 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.4 cubic feet behind the first row. The Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE both have less room overall for cargo. No matter which you choose, the interiors are comfortable and beautifully appointed.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Aviator models use the Lincoln brand's Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system is responsive and features crisp graphics. Other standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, a 10-speaker stereo system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional upgrades include navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 14- or 28-speaker Revel stereo system.

The Audi Q7 has the same screen size and similar features while the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE have 12.3-inch touchscreens that are easier to view.

Safety

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator has not yet been rated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The very similar 2022 Aviator earned a top rating of five stars from NHTSA and a top rating of Good from the IIHS, which also named it a 2022 Top Safety Pick.

All models come with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 suite of driver-assist features, including road-departure mitigation, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 1.5 Plus system adds adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, evasive steer assist, reverse brake assist, and active park assist.

Lincoln Aviator vs. the Competition

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