First Drive: 2020 Lincoln Aviator Takes Flight With Luxury and Power

The all-new three-row SUV is a delight to drive but has quirky controls

Jeff S. Bartlett, Consumer Reports Managing Editor, Autos.

By Jeff S. Bartlett
Managing Editor, Autos

October 28, 2019

The all-new Lincoln Aviator was developed as an upscale sibling to the redesigned Ford Explorer, wrapping a three-row SUV into posh styling and a powerful 400-hp powertrain.

Ford slotted the reborn Aviator (the name was last used in 2005) between its Nautilus and full-sized Navigator, loading it with luxury appointments to take on its crosstown rival, the Cadillac XT6, and the Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Lexus RX L.

Update: Since this first drive was originally published in October 2019, we finished testing the Aviator.

See the complete Lincoln Aviator road test.

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What we bought: 2020 Lincoln Aviator Reserve AWD
Powertrain: 400-hp, 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
MSRP: $58,700
Options: $5,125, which includes Elements Package Plus, Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 Plus, panoramic roof, and floor mats.
Destination fee: $1,095
Total cost: $64,420

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Jeff S. Bartlett

Jeff S. Bartlett is the managing editor for the autos team at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2005. Previously, Jeff served as the online editorial director of Motor Trend for 11 years. Throughout his career, Jeff has driven thousands of cars, many on racetracks around the globe. Follow him on X: @JeffSBartlett