Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 6-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission AWD 3.0L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6/10-speed automatic Grand Touring
3.0L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 plus internal permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor/10-speed auto Curb Weight (F/R Dist) AWD 5,167 lb (51/49%)
Grand Touring 5,838 lb (52/48%) Wheelbase 119.1 in Length x Width x Height 199.3 x 79.6 x 69.6 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy AWD 198/140 kW-hr/100 miles
Grand Touring 147 kW-hr/100 miles (comb) CO2 Emissions, Comb AWD 0.99 lb/mile Grand Touring 0.84 lb/mileSPECS 2020 Lincoln Aviator AWD 2020 Lincoln Aviator AWD (Grand Touring PHEV)
Base Price/As Tested $54,695/$74,920 $71,575/$90,645
Power (SAE net) 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm (gas) + 100 hp @ 2,500 rpm (elec); 494 hp @ 5,500 rpm comb
Torque (SAE net) 415 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm (gas) + 221 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (elec); 630 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm comb
Accel, 0-60 mph 5.4 sec 5.4 sec
Quarter Mile 14.1 sec @ 97.7 mph 13.8 sec @ 102.3 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 124 ft 119 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.80 g (avg) 0.83 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 27.1 sec @ 0.69 g (avg) 26.5 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 17/24/20 mpg Target: 18 mi EV; 23 mpg (comb)fast and has excellent body
control,” said Evans, who also
liked the quick steering. Rechtin
lauded the Aviator’s offering of
“a whole lot of drifty fun,” if that’s
what you want your SUV to do.
“It’s hard to remember that this
is the base engine,” Cortina said
of the 400-hp, 415-lb-ft 3.0-liter
V-6. The 5,167-pound vehicle
scoots from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4
seconds. That slays rivals from
Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz,
while its fuel economy matches
the far less powerful Cadillac XT6.
Loh described the acceleration
as unwavering and unyielding.
The 10-speed is smart and
refined, the brakes smooth. The
bigger problem is the hybrid’s
aggressive throttle tip-in, which
none of us could modulate well.
The Grand Touring plug-in
hybrid Aviator electrifies the gas
engine, but the extra motors and
batteries contribute to its 5,838
pounds. Some judges wondered
where the 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of
torque was in this beefier model—
it’s only 0.3 second quicker than
the gas model in the quarter mile.
The rear-drive bias provides a
rousing ride; the air suspensionW
ith its new Aviator,
Lincoln set out to create
a soothing and elegant
vehicle that quietly rockets you
and your posse along on-ramps.
In reviving the Aviator name,
Lincoln hatched a new rear-
drive architecture (impressively
differentiated from the Ford
Explorer’s) with a car-based
chassis, excellent suspension,
and all the accoutrements you
want from a luxury three-row SUV.
It also has a lot more power.
The upscale mood starts as
you approach the vehicle; head-
lights and puddle lights guide the
way. Once inside, chimes from
the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
greet you as you clasp a lavish
steering wheel and push the gear
selector. “The craftsmanship and
design in this cabin are simply
astounding,” Seabaugh said.
Settle into the 30-way adjust-
able seat and add a massage.
“These are possibly the most
comfortable seats here; it feels
like a Dr. Scholl’s insert for your
entire back,” Loh said. “Truly, a
lovely place to hang out.”
The chassis delivers a
top-notch ride. “It’s easy to drivefeels incredibly supple over
uneven surfaces. It’s wicked cool
to kick sand up and over the
windshield of a luxury vehicle with
a drive mode for all conditions.
Props on a beautiful and
functional steering wheel. Press
the cruise control button, and
the speed-control buttons light
up. The big infotainment screen
responds quickly and is intuitive
to use. You feel the Revel stereo
sound in every organ. There’s a
vertical slot for your phone and
easily accessible USB ports.
Third-row access is shock-
ingly easy. Push a button, and
the second-row captain’s seats
rocket forward. (The Mercedes-
Benz GLS and BMW X7 take an
eternity by comparison.) Still, the
third row is tight.A couple quibbles: The sole-
noid button that replaces the
inside door handle is awkward to
push, and the semi-autonomous
cruise control worryingly shut
off without warning when we
approached stopped traffic.
Pricing lef t us divided. De
Nysschen called the Grand
Touring, which was equipped to
$90,645 for our test, “massively
ambitious.” But MacKenzie felt
Lincoln has put in the work to
justify its prices.
Seabaugh was impressed:
“It’s done what Cadillac has
tried and failed to do for years:
build a distinctly American,
no-compromises luxury vehicle
that competes with foreign
luxury marques on its own terms,
not theirs.” Alisa PriddlePRO Design inside and out • Supple suspension • Excellent stereo CON Hybrid lurches forward • Door release is hard to use • ExpensiveSUVOTY
Lincoln Aviator
Finalists
Grand Touring30 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020