2026 Lincoln Aviator

The Aviator has a long nose with a short overhang that helps make it look like a muscular yet stately SUV. That promise holds true under the hood with a potent 383-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and standard rear-wheel drive (RWD). Despite a quick zero-to-60 mph time below 6 seconds, the Aviator is built for comfort, like the rest of the Lincoln family. That’s most apparent in the first two rows of seats, with available 30-way power-adjust and massaging functionality up front. The third row can be cramped for passengers who’ve graduated beyond middle school.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury midsize SUVs, including the Lincoln Aviator.

Lincoln equips the Aviator with a wealth of standard features uncommon at the base level in the luxury class. Equipment such as a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-folding third-row rear seats, the brand’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system, and an adaptive suspension all come standard, and help offset the Aviator’s $58,500 starting price, which is actually less than last year’s model by about $2,500. All-wheel drive (AWD) adds $2,500 to Premiere and Reserve trims, but is standard on the top Black Label.

The base Premiere is reasonable, but we’d lean toward the Reserve to unlock more of the luxurious options in Lincoln’s armoire.

Competitors in this price range include the Genesis GV80 and Volvo XC90. The BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE are more in the mid-$60K region, while the Acura MDX and Lexus TX cost less than the Aviator.

Before buying a Lincoln Aviator, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Historically, the Aviator has below-average resale value relative to its competitive set. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The Aviator’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 makes 383 horsepower (down from 400 hp in the 2025 Aviator due to a change in emissions standards), which amounts to one of the most potent base engines in the class. It helps the big SUV with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) sprint to 60 mph in less than six seconds, though the heavier all-wheel-drive (AWD) upgrade probably won’t crack that threshold.

There’s a slight lag from a stop, but the quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission seems to skip through the first two gears before you notice. Mostly, the power is ever-ready for confident passing moves and merges. An Excite mode makes the throttle more responsive and tightens up the otherwise lackadaisical steering feel, and it holds gears longer. Paddle shifters also give the driver some control for changing gears.

Unlike the Nautilus, the drive modes in the Aviator can be adjusted through a dial in the console instead of buried in the touchscreen. Adaptive dampers with steel springs come standard, and it helps offset some of the big, long, and tall dimensions of the Aviator. While the acceleration is brisk, the Aviator won’t be confused for a performance SUV. It’s built for comfort, and the acoustic laminated glass on the front doors and windshield isolate the Aviator from the nuisances outside the cabin.

Engine & Transmission / Efficiency, Battery, & Charging

The Aviator proves its luxury pedigree in its interior. Even the base Premiere trim illuminates a welcome when approaching, and its synthetic leather feels close to the real thing. Standard features include a heated steering wheel, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, a surround-view camera, and a 4-year subscription to the brand’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous drive system that enables hands-free driving on limited-access highways. Note that heated and ventilated front seats are not standard, and neither are a power steering column nor wireless device charging; all items are part of a $2,530 package.

A well-designed dashboard houses a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, set horizontally, plus a sharp 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. There are available wood grain accents and trim themes.

Behind the front row are two easy-to-manipulate power-sliding and tilting back rows. The Aviator seats up to seven passengers, but swapping out the second-row bench seat for two captain’s chairs with available heating and ventilation allows for six passengers.

The two seats in the third row are relatively easy to access but also fairly cramped once seated. Maximum legroom in the second row is a generous 40.2 inches, but 29.2 inches in the third row makes this spot suitable for smaller family members only. Cargo space expands from 19.2 cubic feet behind the third row, which is good for four carry-ons at best, to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row power-folded down.

Dynamic Handling package with Air Glide Suspension: For the full Aviator experience, opt for the $2,500 Dynamic Handling package and its air spring suspension that adjusts handling dynamics based on the drive mode. Available on both the Reserve II and Black Label trims, the package adds more variability in how it handles, lowering the suspension 0.6 inch in Excite mode, for instance, and soaking up some of the sensitivity of the available 22-inch wheels. In every other mode, it keeps the Aviator cabin far removed from things happening down there on the ground.

Revel sound system:  With two available Revel sound systems, the Aviator furthers that sense of isolation from the outside world. A 14-speaker system comes on Reserve trims, while the Black Label gets a rocking 28-speaker setup. Either system comes with stylish aluminum speaker grilles that even the kids will call cool, despite your playlist.

Perfect Position front seats: The 30-way power-adjustable seats standard on the top Black Label and available on Reserve (bundled in a $7,995 package) may overwhelm at first, but they’re sublime. Play with the thigh extenders, one for both the right and left legs, adjust the lumbar support, sink it, raise it, lock it in memory, then you may find yourself hitting the road just to hit the massage button. These seats might be the comfiest in the industry.