Lincoln vehicles have long been known for their quiet luxury and emphasis on refinement. The Aviator falls into line with smooth power, a hushed interior, and sumptuous materials. Smaller than the Navigator, the Aviator falls into the midsize, three-row luxury SUV category, competing with the likes of the Audi Q7, the BMW X7, the Cadillac XT6, and the Volvo XC90.
The Aviator name is a not-so-subtle reference to Lincoln’s aeronautical inspiration for the car through its styling, colours, and themes. The current generation is packed with safety and tech, including the ability to ditch your key fob and use your phone as the key. Though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have always been included, wireless CarPlay appeared in 2024 and wireless Auto in 2025.
It isn’t as roomy or comfortable as the larger Navigator but does well as a family vehicle with an occasional-use third row—and it’s much easier to maneuver in urban situations.
Lincoln Aviator: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Lincoln Aviator Pros and Cons
- Lincoln Aviator Generations
- Lincoln Aviator Second Generation (2020–present)
- Lincoln Aviator First Generation (2003–2005)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lincoln Aviator years are the best?
Throughout its life, the Lincoln Aviator has been plagued with recalls and complaints according to CarComplaints.com. The best year of the current generation seems to be 2023. “Just” eight recalls are logged for this year and only 32 complaints. Previous years saw more recalls and complaints, and more recent years are too new to gauge.
What are the worst Lincoln Aviator years?
Unless you’re going for the nostalgia factor, we’d recommend you steer clear of the first-generation Lincoln Aviator. Though it has fewer recalls, there are a lot more consumer complaints. CarComplaints.com says 2003 is the worst year due to body and paint problems, while 2004 logs the most complaints for a crack in the rear panel. In the current generation, the 2020 to 2022 models seemed to be working out the kinks, so we’d probably avoid those, too.
Is a used Lincoln Aviator a good deal?
A used Lincoln Aviator can be a good deal. Looking at the 2023 model year, you can save $10,000 to $15,000 off the original MSRP on average, plus you’ll get all the luxury amenities of a newer model for a significant discount.
Lincoln Aviator Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Impressive stereo
- Powerful engine
Cons:
- Cramped third row
- Sync 3 on used models is outdated tech
- Poor rear visibility
Lincoln Aviator Generations
Lincoln Aviator Second Generation (2020–present)
The Lincoln Aviator returned for its second generation after a 15-year hiatus, retaining its three-row SUV status but losing its body-on-frame construction. It still shares a platform with the Ford Explorer, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard in Canada.
At launch, the new Lincoln Aviator had two powertrain options—a straight gasoline version and a plug-in hybrid. Both were powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, but the plug-in hybrid added an electric motor and a 13.6-kWh battery pack. The gas model delivered 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the PHEV upped the ante with 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV, equipped in the Grand Touring trim, also had the advantage of 34 kilometres of all-electric range.
There were two Lincoln Aviator trim levels available in Canada from launch: Reserve and Grand Touring. Standard features included second-row bench seats, three-zone climate control, Sync 3 infotainment with a touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, blind spot information system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, and automatic headlights. Available features included quad-zone climate control, a 14-speaker Revel audio system, a head-up display, 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive steering, and adaptive suspension with road preview.
While the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 safety suite was standard, the available Co-Pilot 360 Plus added driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, evasive steering assist, automatic reverse braking, and active park assist. Additionally, with the available Adaptive Pixel LED Headlamps, the Aviator received adaptive dynamic bending lighting and speed-depending lighting.
Other available tech highlights included Lincoln’s Phone-As-A-Key, Detroit Symphony Orchestra musical alerts, 30-way Perfect Position seats with massage functionality, a wireless charging pad, and a standard wi-fi hotspot.
The PHEV was discontinued after the 2023 model year due to low demand. Reserve was the sole Canadian trim for 2024, and a lower-cost Premiere trim was added for 2025. The latter year brought a refresh that included a revised front fascia, redesigned headlights, a new Google-based infotainment system (known as the Lincoln Digital Experience), and a refreshed interior. The 2025 Lincoln Aviator also got standard Lincoln Blue Cruise, the company’s highway hands-free driving system, as well as standard phone as key functionality, heated and ventilated seating surfaces, and a panoramic sunroof. Captain’s chairs were standardized for the second row.
You’ll have to go back to the 2022 or 2023 model years to find a good deal. You can find higher-kilometre models (150,000 km or more) for $30,000 or less, but if you’re looking for less than 100,000 kilometres, you’ll find several good options between $40,000 and $50,000.
Lincoln Aviator First Generation (2003–2005)
The original Lincoln Aviator was little more than a rebadged Mercury Mountaineer/Ford Explorer, though it did take some styling cues from the Navigator. It was equipped with a 302-hp V8 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The first-gen Aviator had a body-on-frame construction and standard 4WD and could seat up to seven.
The short-lived first-gen Aviator was sold in a single trim in Canada. It came standard with fog lights, rear parking sensors, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, height adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate controls, and an in-dash CD player. A rear-seat DVD player and a DVD-based navigation were optional.
The Aviator left the Lincoln lineup after the 2005 model year and was replaced by the car-based MKX.
This generation of Lincoln Aviator is on the brink of extinction in Canada. We found precisely one in the used vehicle listings during our research, a 2005 model with 175,000 kilometres listed for $7,700. Given this Aviator’s age, poor reliability, and tendency to rust, we'd suggest avoiding it even if you do find a bargain.
