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  2. 2023 Lincoln Aviator Review

Source: www.lincoln.com

Midsize luxury SUV with unmatched styling

Price From $54,735 – To $91,675

by | Jun 8, 2023

Overview

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator is an exquisite midsize luxury SUV boasting sleek lines, attractive design, and advanced safety features. 

From the moment you lay eyes on the Aviator, its elegant and aerodynamic silhouette leaves a lasting impression. But the Aviator isn’t just about style— it packs a punch under the hood as well. Equipped with a powerful engine lineup, including a twin-turbocharged V6 and a hybrid option, the Aviator delivers an exhilarating performance with ample horsepower and torque. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or navigating city streets, the Aviator’s responsive handling and smooth ride quality provide a driving experience that effortlessly combines comfort and excitement.

In this 2023 Lincoln Navigator review, we will take a close look at this midsize SUV’s engine, performance, interior, comfort, safety, pricing, and more, and help you understand if this is a good choice for your requirements.

Pros
Powerful base engine
Electrification available
Excellent styling for cabin and exterior body
Luxurious interior with lots of cargo space
Cons
Fuel economy needs to be better
Best luxury features are reserved for the highest trim, which is excessively expensive

Performance, Engine, and Comfort

(4/5)
When it comes to engine and performance, Aviator has an upper hand over competitors. While it doesn’t offer stellar fuel economy numbers, it’s good enough for its segments, and also offers electrification. Comfort is unmatchable in its cabin—it’s capacious, well-curated, and is designed for families in mind. 

Engine & Performance

(4/5)

Midsize SUVs aren’t as swift as compact vehicles, but they bring to the table a lot of strength, power, and reliability. Aviator puts up a brave performance in all road conditions, whether you’re cruising around town or taking the highway.

Engine

Aviator offers multiple engine setups to suit the varied needs of customers. The base 3-liter turbo engine is a good option but if you want more power or efficiency, we would suggest going with the plug-in hybrid models.

Transmission

The engines are paired with 10-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension

The Aviator is equipped with front struts and rear multi-link suspension. Four-wheel independent suspension is available as standard in this lineup.

Steering

The vehicle’s tilt and telescopic steering wheel is responsive. Controls for audio and cruise control are placed on the electric power steering for easy access.

Safety & Reliability

(4/5)

2023 Lincoln Aviator boasts a reliability rating of 80/100. The previous iteration of this lineup was a part of IIHS’ Top Safety Pick list.

Brakes

The SUV has 14.3-in vented disc for front brake and 13.8-in vented disc for rear brake. Emergency braking assist is also part of the standard safety package.

Airbags

In case the vehicle is in a collision, airbags get inflated immediately and create a cushioning barrier between the occupant and the interior body of the vehicle to prevent injury. In this lineup, dual front side-mount airbags along with front and rear head airbags are available as standard.

Electronics

Some of the crucial standard electronic safety features include pre-collision and post-collision safety systems, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, tire pressure monitoring, child safety locks, and anti-theft alarm.

Lights

Equipped with LED headlamps, this luxurious SUV offers exceptional visibility and clarity on the road, enhancing safety and providing a striking aesthetic appeal. The Navigator also comes with dusk sensing headlamps, a smart feature that automatically adjusts the intensity of the headlights based on the ambient light conditions. This ensures optimal illumination during twilight or low-light situations, making nighttime driving a breeze. The Navigator also comes with daytime running lights, which improve visibility to other drivers, enhancing overall road safety.

Traction control

In the Lincoln Navigator, the inclusion of traction control as a standard safety feature testifies to the brand’s commitment to providing a secure driving experience. By optimizing traction and stability, this technology contributes to increased control and responsiveness, thus improving overall safety for occupants. Whether navigating through slippery surfaces or handling sudden obstacles, the Lincoln Navigator’s traction control system plays a crucial role in ensuring a confident and safe driving experience.

Fuel Economy

(3.5/5)

The fuel economy numbers aren’t the best, but for the midsize SUV segment, they are not bad either. The non-electrified engines fall short in this area, and for more efficiency, PHEV models are the way to go. However, they come with a higher price tag.

Engine size

The base offering is a 3-liter twin-turbocharged premium unleaded V6 engine generating 400 hp @ 5500 rpm. There is also a more powerful 3-liter twin turbo engine available which pairs with a 100-hp electric motor and a 13.6-kWh battery. This plug-in hybrid setup generates 440 hp @ 5,850 rpm.

Gas per mileage consumption

With the base engine variant in rear-wheel drive setup you can expect to get 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, and the all-wheel drive setup is good for 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The PHEV setup offers higher efficiency and has an electric range of 21 miles.

Interior

(4.5/5)

Midsize SUVs in general are characterized by their roomy cabin and are quite popular among middle to big-size families. The 2023 Lincoln Aviator is no exception. It offers a beautiful balance of comfort and practicality in the interior.

Seats

With a capacity to accommodate 6-7 passengers, this vehicle is spacious enough. The front seats are comfortable with 43.9 inches of legroom, power-adjusted seats with lumbar support, multi-level heating, and height adjustment. The rear seats get a legroom of 41.1 inches with heated seats, center armrest, and dual ventilation. The third row is not particularly roomy but it’s good for kids. All the seats come covered with premium upholstery to keep up the luxury feel.

Design

The cabin design is simple and thoughtful. It has ample storage space which makes this vehicle a good pick for long tours. The use of top-quality trimmings makes a huge difference to the aesthetics of the cabin, giving you a taste of opulence.

Infotainment

Aviator is equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display which is seamless to navigate even for beginners. It supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and WiFi hotspot. If you’re an audiophile and want to have a top-quality sound system in your car, the top trim level offers as many as 28 speakers to enhance your experience.

Overall height and space

This midsize SUV is 210 inches long, 93.8 inches wide, and it has a height of 76.3 inches. It has a ground clearance of 9.6 inches and the wheelbase is 122.5 inches.

Trunk space

The base cargo capacity is 22.6 inches at the back of the third row. You can maximize it to 83.4 inches by folding down the second and third row.

Price and Extras

(3.5/5)
Midsize luxury SUV prices are on the higher side. In the 2023 Lincoln Aviator lineup, the base trim and the middle trim are priced more or less reasonably, so buyers who want to experience the joy of owning a Lincoln without burning a hole in their pockets can consider these. 

Market Price

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator comes in 5 trim levels—Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. If you’re looking for the most value for money model, the middle trim Reserve would be a great pick. It comes with standard rear-wheel drive but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive for an extra fee. The top trim levels with the ‘Black Label’ nameplate offer a true luxury experience, but their prices almost touch six figures, so they may not be suitable for all buyers.

Trim Level Base Price
Standard $54,735
Reserve $60,400
Grand Touring $71,585
Black Label $82,120
Black Label Grand Touring $91,675

AWD/FWD

Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. The exact setup depends on which trim level you choose.

Warranty 

The vehicle is covered by a general warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles. Apart from this, it comes with a 6-year or 70,000 miles drivetrain warranty, 5 years of rust warranty, and unlimited roadside assistance.

Extras 

When equipped with the right towing setup, it can tow up to 5600 pounds.

Verdict

In conclusion, the Lincoln Aviator proves to be a remarkable option in the luxury SUV market. While not as massive as its sibling, the Lincoln Navigator, it still provides a spacious cabin and generous cargo area, making it an excellent choice for families. The Aviator’s luxurious features and upscale feel further enhance its appeal, ensuring a comfortable and elegant driving experience. When considering its overall package, the Lincoln Aviator emerges as a smart and worthwhile investment. Whether for its practicality, opulence, or efficiency, this SUV ticks all the right boxes, making it a strong contender for anyone seeking a premium vehicle.