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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarNew vs Used: Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator hasn’t changed much since its reintroduction in 2020 so is a used unit a better value than a new one? We find out.
Find a Great Deal on a Lincoln Aviator
lincoln.com | netcarshow.com | Shop Lincoln Aviator on Carsforsale.com
The new Lincoln Aviator is one of the most luxurious SUVs made in the USA. It hasn’t changed much since its introduction in 2020 though. To that end, we think it’s worth taking a deeper dive into these dapper three-row SUVs. We’ll compare their specs, their driving characteristics, their interior features, comfort, and trim levels before we finally crown a winner.
Specs
For 2020, the Aviator was all new. It took the spot of the Lincoln MKT, a good but forgettable three-row SUV with funky styling. The Aviator arrived on the scene with five trim levels, two powertrain options, and the choice of rear or all-wheel drive.
The base engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Above that is a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine that develops 494 hp and a massive 630 lb-ft of torque. In electric-only mode, it can cover at most about 18 miles.
Both engines feed power to the rear or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the non-hybrid powertrain gets 20 or 21 mpg combined depending on whether it’s mated to AWD or RWD respectively. The hybrid gets 23 mpg combined.
The 2023 Lincoln Aviator features the exact same powertrain packages, driveline layouts, and even the same EPA fuel economy estimates. The big difference between these two mostly comes down to pricing. The 2020 Aviator currently goes for anywhere from about $40,000 to $69,000 depending on trim, options, and condition. That means that there is some overlap since the 2023 Aviator starts at $54,735 and can cost up to $91,675.
One last consideration comes with respect to warranty coverage. Lincoln warranties are fully transferable to a second owner so even a used Aviator buyer could end up with factory coverage. It won’t be as lengthy as the full four years offered on the new 2023 model but it’s still valuable.
Driving and Performance
As these two three-row SUVs feature the same suspension, drivetrain, and dimension it should be no surprise that they handle and drive similarly. The big differences will come down to the condition of the specific used Aviator in question more than anything else.
The base V6 is surprisingly potent and in fact, is one of our top choices in this segment. The ten-speed automatic is smooth and never seems to find itself in the wrong cog. The only other engine in this class that we like more is the 6.2-liter V8 found in some GM SUVs like the GMC Yukon Denali.
The plug-in hybrid V6 makes the most of its gargantuan torque figure on the highway where passing is so easy that it makes the Aviator feel somewhat small. Sadly, neither the new nor used Aviator feels nimble when you throw a curve or two at it. Each one sort of lumbers around with numbish handling and questionable feedback. That makes it both less than confidence-inspiring on twisty highways and a bit more challenging to use in tighter situations like parking lots and heavy traffic.
Comfort and Interior
Thankfully, wherever one ends up in an Aviator, it’s a lovely place to spend time. Each one features the same general layout featuring a mostly flat-faced dashboard with a large 12.3-inch landscape-oriented infotainment system and a 10.1-inch gauge cluster.
The materials are outstanding for this price point and the seating is comfortable, supportive, and highly adjustable. To clarify that even further, the Aviator is available with 30-way adjustable massaging seats. It’s kind of hard to believe that the Aviator is based on the same platform as the Ford Explorer.
Interestingly, very few updates have taken place between 2020 and 2023 but we’ll break them down anyway. The 2023 version is available with a few more standard features depending on the trim. For example, the panoramic sunroof is available on the base trim and standard on each one above it.
Heated and ventilated seats are more widely available too. Parking sensors are standard on the Reserve model. The 2023 model is also available with an optional Illumination package with special exterior lighting and an illuminated Lincoln badge in the front grille.
Trims and Features
For 2020, the Aviator was available in five trim levels.
Standard – This trim gets the non-hybrid V6, RWD, LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, Sync3, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and forward collision mitigation.
Reserve – 14-way power-adjustable front seats, 20-inch wheels, second-row captain’s chairs, a 360-degree camera, a 14-speaker sound system, premium leather upholstery, quad-zone climate control, and a hands-free liftgate.
Grand Touring – This trim is the first with the hybrid V6 and also adds a panoramic sunroof.
Black Label – This trim goes back to the non-hybrid V6 but 22-inch wheels are standard along with active park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, 30-way power-adjustable massaging front seats, rear sunshades, rear-seat audio controls, and 28-speaker sound system.
Black Label Grand Touring – Combine the Black Label trim features with the Grand Touring hybrid engine and you get this trim. It also swaps out the 22-inch wheels for 21s.
For 2023, Lincoln sells five trims of the Aviator and they have the same names too.
Standard – The base or standard Aviator comes with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-folding mirrors, roof rails, a power liftgate, and remote start.
The cabin in the Standard trim features tri-zone automatic climate control, faux leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory settings, a digital gauge cluster.
The infotainment system includes a 10.1-inch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, 10 speakers, a 35/30/35-split folding second-row bench seat, and a 50/50-split third-row seat.
Safety equipment includes lane-departure mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, and parking sensors.
Reserve – The Reserve trim adds 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, second-row captain’s chairs, a hands-free liftgate, ambient interior lighting, quad-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, integrated navigation, a wireless charger, 14 speakers, and a surround-view camera system.
Grand Touring – This trim gets 21-inch wheels, standard all-wheel drive, and the hybrid V6 mentioned in our powertrain section.
Black Label – The Black Label trim goes back to the non-hybrid V6 along with premium leather seats, 22-inch wheels, a heads-up display, soft-close doors, automatic heated and ventilated massaging front seats, ventilated rear seats, LED fog lights, adaptive LED headlights, rear window sunshades, and a 28-speaker sound system.
Black Label buyers also get complimentary car washes, a premium maintenance plan, and the option to take delivery at a place of their choosing away from the dealership.
Black Label Grand Touring – This trim combines the luxury features of the Black Label with the hybrid V6 of the Grand Touring trim.
The Verdict
2020 Lincoln Aviator – netcarshow.com | Shop Lincoln Aviator on Carsforsale.com
These are great SUVs no matter how you slice it but the used Aviator gets the victory in our book. It’s not too tough to find one that’s still under warranty with almost all the bells and whistles you’d get in a 2023 model for about $20,000 less. That makes it a screaming deal amongst a sea of overpriced three-row SUVs with far less luxury equipment. If you’re dead set on picking up a brand-new Aviator be sure to check into our article on new car incentives first.
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