2021 Lincoln Aviator

Pros: Acceleration with either powertrain; plush interior; cargo space

Cons: Cramped third-row seat; top models are expensive, and options drive prices even higher

CG Says: The 2021 Lincoln Aviator gains a new Monochromatic Package and soft-close doors are now standard on topline Black Label models. Otherwise, Aviator is essentially unchanged. Last year, Lincoln brought back a name from its recent past for its 3-row midsize SUV. The Aviator is positioned between the 2-row Nautilus and full-size Navigator in Lincoln’s SUV lineup; it offers seating for six with second-row captains’ chairs, or seven with a second-row bench. The standard engine is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs the turbo 3.0-liter V6 with an electric motor to deliver an impressive 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, and an estimated electric driving range of 21 miles. Both powerplants are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Standard and Reserve models are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; Black Label and the plug-in-hybrid Grand Touring models are offered solely with AWD.
Optional features include 30-way power-adjustable/massaging front seats, hands-free liftgate, soft-close doors, and an adaptive suspension that uses a camera to “read” changing road surfaces and adjust the suspension accordingly. Also available is Lincoln’s Phone as a Key system, which enables vehicle locking/unlocking, starting, and other functions via a smartphone app. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and adaptive headlights. The ambitious new Aviator impresses with its luxurious interior, quietness, comfortable ride, and powerful powertrains. The steep pricing is also ambitious, and the third-row seat space is on the stingy side, but the Aviator is still a serious contender with the best entries in the premium midsize SUV class.