Lincoln Aviator

TheLincoln Aviatoris amid-size,three-rowluxury SUVmanufactured and marketed under theLincolnbrand ofFord Motor Company— and now in its second generation, with a hiatus from 2006 to 2020.

Lincoln Aviator
2020 Lincoln Aviator
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln(Ford)
Production	2002–2005 2019–present
Model years	2003–2005 2020–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-sizeluxury SUV(2002–2005) Mid-sizeluxurycrossover SUV(2019–present)
Body style	5-doorSUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

The first generation Aviator was manufactured for 2003–2005 model years as a rebadged variant of thethird generation Ford Explorer— and assembled at the now-closedSt. Louis AssemblyinHazelwood, Missouri,alongside the Explorer and Mountaineer.

For the 2020 model year, Lincoln reintroduced the Aviator as a badge engineered variant of thesixth generation Ford Explorermanufactured atChicago Assemblyand offered with aplug-in hybridvariant.

First generation (UN152; 2003)

First generation
Overview
Model code	UN152
Production	2002–2005
Model years	2003–2005
Assembly	United States:Hazelwood, Missouri(St. Louis Assembly)
Body and chassis
Related	Ford Explorer Ford Explorer Sport Trac Mercury Mountaineer
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 LModularV8(gasoline)
Power output	225 kW (302 hp; 306 PS)
Transmission	5-speed5R55Soverdrive automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,888 mm (113.7 in)
Length	4,910 mm (193.3 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,826 mm (71.9 in)
Chronology
Successor	Lincoln MKX(2006–2018) Lincoln MKT(2010–2019) Mercury Mountaineer

The Aviator was launched for the 2003 model year with three-row six-passenger seating configuration and optional second row bucket seats with center console or second-row bench seating (at no cost).

Along with the choice offour-wheel drive(4WD) configuration and towing packages, the Aviator was offered with optional heated/cooled front bucket seats, xenon (HID) headlights, 17-inch chrome wheels, and a DVD-based navigation system. These options were late availability in 2003 on the premium model and 2004 (Ultimate), 2005 (Elite). The Aviator was equipped with dual front/side airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability andtraction control.

Chassis

Sharing its chassis with the third-generation Explorer, the Aviator is derived from the body-on-frameFord U1 platform.Sharing its 2,888 mm (113.7 in) wheelbase with the Explorer/Mountaineer, the Aviator is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension.

A standard towing package was fitted to all 4WD Aviators with a heavy-duty towing package optional on either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4WD models.

Powertrain

In place of theSOHCtwo-valveversion of the 4.6 LModularV8shared with the Explorer/Mountaineer and other Ford trucks, the Aviator was fitted with theDOHCfour-valve version of the engine, shared with theMustang Mach 1andMarauder.

Producing 225 kW (302 hp; 306 PS) and 407 N⋅m (300 lbf⋅ft) of torque, the DOHC V8 engine in the Aviator came with two more horsepower than the 5.4-L V8 in the Navigator (though with 75 N⋅m (55 lbf⋅ft) less of torque). As with the Explorer/Mountaineer, rear-wheel drive was standard, with Lincoln offering all-wheel drive as an option; all versions were equipped with a five-speed5R55Soverdrive automatic transmission.

Body

The Aviator derived its body construction from the third-generation Explorer, sharing its body structure, doors, and roofline with both model lines. The Aviator adopts a number of styling cues from the second-generation Navigator, with visually similar front and rear stayling, lower door panels/running boards, grilles, and headlamps, and license-plate surrounds. Styled similar to later-1960s Lincolns, the rectangular-designed instrument panel featured an instrument cluster with electroluminescent gauges and needles. The Aviator received model-specific seats and leather, with American walnut wood trim on the doors and steering wheel.

Trim

At its 2002 launch, the Aviator was offered inLuxurybase trim andPremiumtrim level. For 2004, thePremiumtrim was renamedUltimate..For 2005, theLuxurytrim became the sole offering, with previous content remaining available as stand-alone options, including a rear-seat DVD player. AnEliteoption package was offered, which bundled all features of thePremium/Ultimatetrims; the package offered a DVD-based navigation system.

Kitty Hawk Special Edition

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' 1903 flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, Lincoln offered a "Kitty Hawk" limited edition of the Aviator; it was the official vehicle of the 2003 EAA Countdown to Kitty Hawk. Along with special Kitty Hawk badging and trim, the limited-edition featured mink zebrano wood trim, argent painted and chrome grille, and a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, chrome wheels, xenon (HID) headlamps, black premium leather heated/cooled seats with Kitty Hawk logo em Boss ed on front seatbacks, black carpet floor mats with stitched Kitty Hawk logo, available only in black exterior color.

Marketing and reception

Lincoln played up the similarity to the Navigator full-size SUV with magazine ads that read, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Especially when it's yourself you're imitating." The Aviator was met with relatively positive press coverage.

While the Aviator's styling borrowed cues from its big brother, the Navigator, it also looked similar to the very widespread Explorer with which it shared the platform. Also working against the Aviator was the fact that it was priced similar to the larger and relatively popularExpedition.Car and Driversaid in a comparison test, in which the Aviator tied for fifth place, that only the car's high price and lack of certain features and no low range with the 4WD model held it out of contention for the top spots.

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  2005 Lincoln Aviator
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  2004–2005 Lincoln Aviator, rear ¾
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  2003 Lincoln Aviator (US)

Replacement

The first-generation Lincoln Aviator was discontinued after the 2005 model year, with the final vehicle produced by St. Louis Assembly on August 19, 2005. At the2004 Detroit Auto Show,Lincoln previewed an intended second generation. In a break from the Explorer/Mountaineer, the model line was shifting its design from a three-row SUV to a two-row crossover SUV, becoming a Lincoln counterpart of theFord EdgeCUV. The second-generation Aviator was released as an early 2007 vehicle.

IN 2007, Lincoln rebranded its model line, adopting an "MK" model across its lineup, with the exception of theNavigatorand theTown Car.The Aviator nameplate was dropped, becoming the Lincoln MKX (X= crossover); based on the Ford CD3 platform, the production MKX served as a counterpart of the Ford Edge.

Second generation (U611; 2020)

Second generation
Overview
Model code	U611
Production	May 6, 2019–present
Model years	2020–present
Assembly	United States:Chicago,Illinois(Chicago Assembly) China:Hangzhou(Changan Ford)
Designer	Kemal Curić
Body and chassis
Platform	Ford CD6 platform
Related	Ford Explorer
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 Ltwin-turbochargedEcoBoostV6(gasoline) 3.0 Ltwin-turbochargedEcoBoostV6(gasoline/Plug-in hybrid)
Electric motor	75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS) Internalpermanent magnet synchronous motor
Power output	298–368.4 kW (400–494 hp; 405–501 PS) and 415–630 lb⋅ft (563–854 N⋅m) torque
Transmission	Ford 10R80 10-speed SelectShift automatic Modular Hybrid Transmission with SelectShift® Capability (GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Hybrid drivetrain	PHEV(GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Battery	13.6-kWhLithium-ion(GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,025 mm (119.1 in)
Length	5,065 mm (199.4 in)
Width	2,020 mm (79.5 in)
Height	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln MKT(2010–2019)

At the2018 New York Auto Show,Lincoln unveiled a prototype version of its planned second-generation Aviator, scheduled to enter production in 2019.

A more detailed production was later introduced at theLos Angeles Auto Showon November 28, 2018. Lincoln confirmed that the Aviator would go on sale in the summer of 2019 as a 2020 model in North America and China afterward.

With 494 hp (368 kW) and 630 lb⋅ft (850 N⋅m) of torque and all of the power and torque coming from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with a hybrid system, the Aviator Hybrid's output makes it on par with likes of other midsized performance SUVs such as theBMW X5xDrive 50i (456 hp (340 kW; 462 PS) and 479 lb⋅ft (649 N⋅m)), and thePorsche CayenneE-Hybrid (455 hp (339 kW; 461 PS) and 516 lb⋅ft (700 N⋅m)).

Overview

The 2018 Aviator prototype marked the debut of an all-new vehicle platform for Ford Motor Company; while the vehicle is RWD, the architecture is designed for multiple powertrain layouts, including all-wheel drive (AWD) andfront-wheel drive(FWD).The second-generation Aviator shares its platform architecture with the sixth-generation Explorer.While again mechanically related to the Explorer, the Aviator received its own styling.

No specific engine or transmission details were announced as part of the unveiling; the production Aviator will offerplug-in hybrid(PHEV) capability as an option, the first Lincoln vehicle to do so.

Several technological features debuted on the 2018 prototype Aviator.Tying the vehicle camera system with the continuously controlled dampers,Suspension Preview Technologylooks at the road ahead for surface irregularities (i.e., potholes), preparing the suspension for impact and its effect on vehicle ride.Phone as a Keyallows an Aviator to be driven without keys; the technology allows the smartphone of the owner to serve as the vehiclekey fob,with the door-mounted keyless entry keypad allowing access in the event of phone battery failure (the interior is designed with wireless charging for smartphones).

A number of safety technology features were included, withLincoln CoPilot360packaging automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping system, lane centering,reverse camera, and auto high-beams.Reverse Brake Assistapplies the brakes if the vehicle detects an object when the transmission is in reverse.

Lincoln designers worked with theDetroit Symphony Orchestrato compose 25 unique sound effects to be used for thedoor chimeand other indicator alerts for the Aviator.

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  Rear view
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  Aviator PHEV (China, import)
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  Aviator PHEV (China, import)

2025 refresh

The facelifted Aviator was revealed on February 5, 2024, for the 2025 model year. It features a redesigned front fascia, refreshed interior and redesigned headlights. The PHEV Grand Touring trim was discontinued for 2025.

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  Front View
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  Rear View

Safety

NHTSAcrash test ratings (2020):

• Front Impact Rating:
• Side Impact Rating:
• Rollover Rating:15.1%

2020 Lincoln Aviator IIHS Ratings

Category	Rating
Small overlap front	Good
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side impact	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

Sales

Calendar year	US	Canada	China
2002	1,856		—
2003	29,517
2004	23,644
2005	15,873	664
2006	1,711
2019	8,323	678
2020	23,080	1,941	8,818
2021	20,924	2,043	14,256
2022	21,977		6,297
2023	15,551		4,867
2024	25,235	2,027	3,828

External links

• Official website
• 2005 Lincoln Aviator press kit (Ford Media)