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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  Great Lexus - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Bruce Bock - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Quite a plesure to drive. It has it all

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  An expensive pinto - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - October 16 - 9:33 am

  The Lincoln aviator is the worst car ever built. They are dangerous and fall apart after 60,000 miles. Ford is aware of this but is ignoring all complaints and blaming tire tread wear as the cause of all electrical and mechanical problems. Never buy any aviator of any year.

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  We Love This SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By art_lover82 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Could not be happier! Handles like a dream, very peppy, smooth and quiet. Looked at Explorer, Escalade and Lexus. Aviator the best by far. Using premium fuel and traveling 80 miles per day - Getting about 16.6 mpg on freeway driving.

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  my beautyfull car - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By garzonbc - September 23 - 10:00 am

  years ago I had a groce car and a groce life my experience is nice becose when I brought a new lincoln navigator every one said woww what a car and then my life change .

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  Cant go wrong with this suv - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Best luxury Suv - September 12 - 3:23 am

  I have never been more satisfied with the amount of money I paid for such luxury! I have had zero issues with this car and going on 48,000 miles.

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  Aviator #1 - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By johny0909 - September 4 - 4:40 am

  I bought the aviator a couple of weeks ago for my wife. The fit and finish is fantastic. Power and handeling are great. It was my wifes choice, it was a good one. I drive it every when she is not! Delivery was outstanding. Lincoln has made some excellent improvements.

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  5 years and still loving it - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Cory - August 24 - 8:36 pm

  Probably one of the best vehicles Ive ever owned. I have driven this 03 for five years now with no serious problems. Has plenty of horsepower and has handled well in all weather conditions. A few small maintenance issues such as a faulty door or lift gate sensor that has the vehicle thinking a door is open (dome light stays on) and a reverse sensor is out. Ive owned foreign vehicles that have had less maintenance visits to the dealership but none of them have matched the comfort, styling and overall driving experience. Would like to see better gas mileage but what do you expect for an AWD SUV?

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  Sunroof Leak in new Aviator - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By John Stevens - August 22 - 11:10 pm

  within the first week of ownership, our brand new 2005 Lincoln Aviator has a water leak from the sunroof which is dripping down through the overhead driver light switch. The dealer had the car overnight and didnt fix the problem. Ford technical support stated some Mountaineers and Aviators are having the same problem. This is a $50,000 luxury vehicle. No wonder the Aviator is in its last year of the current design and will emerge in the fall of 2006 as a downsized model. What do we do in the meantime? Our Aviator only has 282 miles on it and its going back to the shop for the same problem.

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  Best of the Best - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By RTD - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Lincoln Aviator, after having a Navigator and being so dissapointed to have to turn in following lease term ending, got the Aviator because of size and found it to be even better than the Navigator. Love my Lincoln. Bob

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  Outstanding SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By jaybo - August 10 - 4:06 am

  Bought this to replace a beloved Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Aviator is the best combination of performance (300 HP), and whisper quiet comfort along with great deep snow handling that I have ever owned. It was 2/3 the price of the Toyota Land Cruiser or BMW X5 (only 5 passenger) and has superior performance. It is a mystery to me why Ford replaced it with a minivanny MKX. I guess I will be forced to buy German or Japanese next time.