Overview & Reviews

When Lincoln rolled out its full-size Navigator in the late 1990s, it quickly learned that there was a big demand for luxury-oriented SUVs. After a few years of success, the company decided to expand its lineup with the smaller, more agile (and less expensive) Lincoln Aviator, a midsize luxury SUV. In both concept and execution, the truck-based Aviator was Navigator Lite.

Though our editors thought pretty highly of it upon its launch, the Lincoln Aviator soon lagged behind in a rapidly expanding segment where competing car-based SUVs surpassed it in performance, interior quality and image. Sales never met with expectations, and Lincoln discontinued the model a few years after its debut.

As a used luxury SUV, the Aviator has a few things going for it, including a reasonable price, plenty of luxury features, a standard V8 engine and a third-row seat. And thanks to those slow sales, it's also a rare sight on the road. Though there are certainly better all-around choices to be had for a luxury SUV or crossover, the Lincoln Aviator might be suitable for someone wanting a lesser-known alternative.

Most recent Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator was produced for the 2003-'05 model years. Built on the same chassis as the Ford Explorer, the Aviator featured a fully independent suspension, third-row seating and V8 power. Like its bigger Navigator brother, the Aviator offered lots of amenities and an upscale interior intended to rival even the most exclusive European and Japanese luxury brands.

For power, this midsize luxury SUV was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 that cranked out 302 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic sent this considerable thrust to either the rear wheels on two-wheel-drive versions or all four in the all-wheel-drive Aviator. (A traditional four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing was never offered on this Lincoln SUV.) The muscle-bound V8, along with the Aviator's body-on-frame design, gave the Lincoln a serious towing advantage over its less rugged competition, with a maximum capacity of 7,300 pounds (7,100 pounds for AWD models).

The Lincoln Aviator shared styling themes with its larger sibling inside and out, including a waterfall center stack design complemented by contrasting wood and leather trim. The instrument panel featured classy, large analog dials with brilliant white numbering and red needles. Lincoln's midsize luxury SUV could seat six or seven, depending on whether it was ordered with a second-row split-bench seat or individual captain's chairs with a center console. Compared with its rivals, the Aviator offered ample rear legroom, especially in the third row. Overall, its interior was a well-designed, attractive-looking package, though materials quality was a couple steps below the import-brand competition.

Lincoln engineers also went to great lengths to strengthen the chassis during the transformation from Explorer to Aviator ¯ an effort that reduced body flex and improved ride and handling dynamics. And for a body-on-frame SUV, the Aviator was quite comfortable in urban settings. However, when our editors drove it alongside the competing crossover SUVs of the time, the Aviator lacked handling agility on more challenging roads.

Standard equipment was fairly generous. There were two trim levels initially: Luxury and Premium (later called Ultimate). Luxury models came with dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, adjustable pedals and rear park assist. Aviator Premium/Ultimate models had HID headlamps and heated and cooled seats. Stability control, a moonroof, a rear-seat entertainment system, a DVD-based navigation system and a trailer hitch were optional.

Updates to the Lincoln Aviator were minimal. In 2004, Lincoln changed the name of the Aviator's high-line trim level from Premium to Ultimate. Improvements that year included optional satellite radio and the addition of a rollover sensor to the optional stability control system. In 2005, the stability system was made standard, and the model lineup was pared down to one well-equipped trim level with separate luxury option packages for those who wanted a bit more.

User Reviews:

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  REAR SEAT DESIGN - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By SUASN BROWN - November 1 - 2:00 am

  DO PEOPLE WITHOUT CHILDREN EVER GET INVOLVED IN YOUR DESIGN PROCESS? SOME OF US ACTUALLY DO HAVE LIVES THAT INVOLVE THE USE OF A COMFORTABLE 4WD SUV WITH OUT CHILDREN. I NEED A LOT OF HEATED OPEN SPACE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. WE DO NOT HAUL CHILDREN OR REAR SEAT PASSERGERS,EVER!! IM A LADY TAAT WEARS SKIRTS AND DRESSES AND WANTS THE SAFTEY AND CONVENIENCE OF A 4WD SUV. I WILL NEVER OWN A MINI VAN. AND PICK UP TRUCKS ARE FOR HAULING HAY AND PULLING TRAILERS.

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  Nice car, not without its little flaws. - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By JulesH - October 31 - 9:43 pm

  Very comfortable inside, a joy to drive, handles so well, lots of power, 3rd row seat. Very poor gas mileage. More rear seat room needed. The only problems Ive had since ownership are a piece of plastic near the side back window that became partially unglued and flapped as I drove, and the steering has a squeaky feel to it when parking/driving slow in parking lots. One other thing is that in hot weather, the car often refuses to lock itself and behaves as if a door is open when it is not. I also frequently have to slam the rear gate or the vehicle light will stay on and I get a "liftgate open" message.

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  Drives like a luxury car - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Stacy - October 23 - 12:40 pm

  I have owned my Aviator for 3 months now and Im in heaven. I love the truck more and more everyday. It drives like a luxury car. It does very poor on gas but I knew that when I purchased it. I would recommend this truck to everyone. The DVD system and sound system are great.

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  Fun and powerful - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Happycamper - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This not a Ford, the whole drivetrain is superior! The power and drive are fantastic.It looks great too this is one fun SUV to dive.I recomend this vehicle if you want a Truck and not a jacked up car! Youll love it.

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  Fantastic Driving Experience - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By kiki816 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had my new 2004 Lincoln Aviator for one month now. I love the new comfort,ease of driving and all the great features.The interior looks very classy with its burl walnut accents and satin nickel chrome.My new Aviator is wider and longer than my previous Mountaineer and also has the advance trac and roll stability control, along with side impact airbags and speed sensitive front airbags.The only drawback is that it does take premium gas and the milage is not as good as a small car. However, with the Lincoln Name and Luxury I am getting a Fantastic SUV that is a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to look at.

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  Love this car - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By ecnjd96 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  What an engine!! Nice looking car and fun to driv

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  4 improvements - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By mkmc - August 31 - 2:00 am

  So close to perfection but...I wish the rear seat was split-fold, I wish the second row could be heated and cooled,I wish the console could be optional in the second row so that my passengers could "pass through" like they do in a mini-van and avoid the hassle of sliding the seat forward, and I wish the gear shift and 4 wheel drive mechanisms where designed like on the old Expedition so that I had room for my purse on that center console in the front.

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  Many thumbs up for my Black Beauty w/chr - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By VTMoon - August 27 - 7:50 pm

  I very satisfy with the purchase of my Lincoln Aviator. I could not ask for a better mid-size SUV. Yes, gas mile is poor but if you can afford the vehicle you can afford the gas. Looks good, rides good, sounds good, This is my 1st SUV and 1st american made purchase since 1994. (Im a Lexus man but this aviator is tranforming me in to a Lincoln-SUV man). I am shock that the Aviator does not get better reviews. I did a lot of research and the Aviator is the best in appearance and power and it not just a jacked up station wagon like many of the other Mid-size so call SUV.

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  Luxury People Mover - forget the minivan - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Joe Carguy - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Love interior room and manuevers very well. Great for growing family of five! We looked at Sienna minivan (too soccer mom), Sequioa truck (tough to manuever, huge backend, and could see my kids in thrid row), GMC Envoy (truck ride), and put money down on Volvo XC90 (HUGE Blindspor, too cramped, too hard for little kids even to get in third row, 2nd row seats dont slide forward enough causing our 5 yr old to wipe on undersized, poorly placed running boards). Amazed how loaded The Avaitor is, great 2nd row bench fold up mechanism, making third row big enough for adults to get in and sit in) If looking at other SUV - got to test drive one of these.

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  this is a big hit - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By shamsin - August 21 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car/truck, it drives very smoothly better than most luxury cars I drove, yet it is a truck with ample of power when you need it, the lighting of the dash board and steering wheel is my favorite. handling, acceleration and breaking are astonishing. I have driven many luxury cars and trucks(MB,BMW,Lexus) this is by far on of the best. Lincoln has scored a big hit with this baby navigator, you should try this car before buying any SUV, its worth it. get the navigation system for sure and may be DVD too. Although comfortable, seats are stiff and have big halls in them??