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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  Dream suv - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By rayc - August 2 - 12:30 pm

  Outstanding except for gas mileage but well worth it no other complaint!

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  LOVE IT!!! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By BLAZE - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE IT!! ITS PRETTY FAST.. IT FITS 6 PEOPLE PRETTY GOOD.IT DOES NOT HAVE MUCH ROOM BEHIND THE 3ED SEAT FOR BAGS.THE PAINTED PLASTIC ON THE IN SIDE LOOKS GREAT BUT SCRATCHES EASY OTHER THEN THAT I LOVE IT...

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Stella - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for another Explorer to purchase or maybe going to a Navigator. There had been no signifigant changes in the Explorer so the loan officer at the dealership suggested I take a look at the Aviator. There was one on the lot and we took it home for a test drive. I told my husband I had never driven a vehicle like it before. I liked it immediately. Two main features of a car I look for are a good stereo system and the color inside and out. My husband checks out the rest.

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  it works ! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By yogidoc - June 22 - 10:00 am

  traded my porsche 03 cayenne for aviator fully loaded. Porsche killed my back driving in the city, terrrible suspension!Aviator alot more practical and much better value, love high seating postion , handling , and 300 hp much better urban truck,however porsche blows the aviator away on highway....worth not having chronic back problems

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  Nice vehicle - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By VJM - June 7 - 11:26 am

  I replaced my Lexus with an Aviator 3 years ago. It only had 10K miles on it. Besides general mte. have replaced rear brakes and tires. Rear window panel cracked 2 yrs ago and was replaced under warranty. Has now cracked again (not under warranty). Dealership told me that Lincoln was aware of this problem but was not helping with replacement anymore. Was told yesterday (at 56K miles) that water pump was leaking. My husband likes this vehicle better than I do. But I drive it 95% of this time. I consistently get 17 mpg on a combo of city/highway driving. When my husband drives it the mpg goes down because he has a lead foot and loves "floor it" after a stop.

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  Best i ever drove - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By babetty - May 27 - 12:06 pm

  handles great, great ride, powerful and comfortable.

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  great truck - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By joe kelly - May 17 - 10:00 am

  love it not great on gas but all else is nice

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  Grandmas Hot New Wheels - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By milobeans - May 10 - 10:00 am

  This is the first time that grandma has had an SUV for a vehicle. The grandchildren love it, her co-workers love it, and her sidekick (grandpa) loves it. The Aviator makes her want to take a trip but so far it has been used primarily for traveling to work. However, lunches with the gals from the office allow her to show off her new wheels. But the best is having the grandchildren with her and going to places to eat and the movies. Yep, she loves it best of all.

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  Lots of miles best SUV yet! - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By EbaJ - May 2 - 9:13 pm

  Bought this to replace an Explorer - my fourth- and there is no comparison....no front end issues original tires went 67,000 miles, brakes went 76,000 miles no warranty work, just regular maintenance. Beats the Explorer hands down. Ready to trade in Feb but they are changing it so where do I go now?

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  Aviator...Worst Car Ever Built - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - April 20 - 9:00 pm

  This is the worst car ever built! Ford used cheap Korean bearings that disintegrate as soon as your car goes out of warranty. Amazing at how well Ford could time this. Nothing but a mechanical, electrical nightmare that has almost killed my family twice. Ford should do the right thing and recall all aviators.