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We are sad to announce that the 2020 Lincoln Aviator is not the flying car we've been promised for almost a century. The airman is stuck to the ground, just like you and me. Metaphorically, however, this 2,900-kg box of leather and wood has the wings to help pull Lincoln out of what, a few years ago, looked like an irreversible fire.
The proportions of the Aviator and its width in the cabin are heavy enough that few buyers can believe that they drive the largest Navigator. The 400-hp V-6 twin-turbo can not wait to run hard. Equally important, the Aviator looks like a luxury vehicle.
Same formula, new execution
This last factor marks a big change compared to the predecessor of the Aviator, the MKT, simple and curved. The Aviator buries the old bones of the MKT and moves to a new architecture that turns the engine at 90 degrees, so that torque now flows on the rear wheels or all four. Sharing these basic components with the new Explorer, the Aviator is still a golden Ford. The visible and tangible similarities are few and insignificant enough not to matter.
The standard 3.0-liter V-6 bi-turbo is a powerful element of the Aviator's appeal. With 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, the base engine outperforms the competition – in many cases it has more than 50 horsepower. The engine runs quiet enough to be forgotten at cruising speeds. With a quick throttle, the V-6 roars to attention and launches the airman on the road. Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission continues to improve with every new application, including this one. In the Airman, the transmission goes up a gear with confidence but performs the changes gently.
Instead of the optional V-8, Lincoln offers the blown V-6 with an electric motor and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. The $ 69,895 plug-in hybrid, called the Aviator Grand Touring, produces 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft, but adds nearly 800 pounds to the scale. Lincoln cleverly hides the heavy battery pack under the bodywork, leaving the cargo space under the floor and the spare tire well intact.
California compliant suspension
Although the basic $ 52,195 aviator uses steel coil springs and passive dampers, most buyers will end up with a more sophisticated suspension. Starting at $ 59,795, the mid-size all-wheel drive is equipped with adaptive dampers. The Dynamic Handling package combines these electronically controlled dampers with a 15-meter-oriented camera to release or taper the dampers according to the topography of the roadway. This option also adds variable-ratio steering and air springs with a stroke of more than three inches between out- and off-road positions.
The Aviator transported its mass gracefully through the hilly vineyards of Napa during our ride with its suspension with height adjustment and anti-potholes. It stays straight in turns and faithfully follows the intentions of the driver, even if this precision has a cost. In the few places where the sidewalk looked like leavened crust, the body bounced back enough to allow us to wonder how the aviator would go home on the roads of Michigan.
Tech without the learning curve
The Aviator's equipment list is packed with driver assistance and connectivity features, just like any other modern luxury vehicle. What sets Lincoln apart is that the technology is simple and easy to use. The keyboard gear selector, an anti-gadget touch screen, climate controls and the ability to use your phone as a key can create a luxury experience without learning. Hedonic indulgences include Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position seats, Revel Ultima 28-speaker sound system and Megabucks Black Label cabin treatment. Unless you take this last step, many of the Aviator's interior materials look and feel like products without luxury.
Behind the second row, Lincoln favors cargo space over passenger space. The slightly cushioned third row is very low and offers little legroom. Sitting in the back is hardly more comfortable than sitting on a sack of rice and it's hard to get caught between the C-pillar and the second row captain's chair ( standard on all models except the base model). But behind the third row, there is plenty of room for four children's backpacks, sports bags, etc.
For anyone in the first or second row, the Aviator offers a true luxury experience. It's quiet when you want peace and fast when you need speed. When properly equipped, the aviator will massage your back while subtly persuading your neighbors that business is going well. And even if we wish it to fly, this Lincoln will not apologize for its size. The Aviator is a real luxury vehicle built in the American style.
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