2025 Lincoln Aviator Black Label AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Luxury SUV w/Hands-Free Highway Steering

Highlight: This is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.  

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $90,070 (Base -Trim): $58,605

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; 360-degree camera; an electronic blind spot system; a lane keeping assist system and road edge detection; post collision braking; auto high beams; a brake hold feature; hill start assist; hill descent control; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Test Model): 20-inch wheels; power folding exterior mirrors; power panoramic roof; power sunshade; power liftgate; roof rack side rails; soft closed doors; leather seats; leather wrapped steering wheel; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; power folding third seat; a quad zone automatic climate control system; heated/vented front seats; 30-way power front seats; heated second row seats; a heads up display (HUD); a variety driving modes; a wireless charging pad; an adaptive suspension; and 18-inch spare wheel

Options: optional premium color; 22-inch wheels; hands-free steering; full rear console; and Black Label membership privileges

Other Trim Levels:

Premiere

Reserve

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 28-speaker Revel audio with AM/FM/SiriusXM  

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles

Horsepower: 3.0, twin-turbo 6-cylinder /400-hp

Fuel Type: Unleaded

Standard Fuel Mileage: 17-city/25-hwy (test model)

Towing: 6,700 lbs

What’s New:  The Lincoln Aviator has received a mid-cycle update which includes a larger infotainment screen, an updated hands-free driving system and a refreshed exterior and interior.

Why:

A stylish and updated interior and exterior design

A hands-free highway driving system

A powerful 6-cylinder engine

A high-end audio system

Rear-wheel-drive or AWD configuration

Availability of 20 inch and 22-inch wheels

A premium sound system

Center row bucket seats

Ventilated front seats

A power panoramic sunroof

Massaging front seats

A host of safety driving aids

But:

Limited access to third-row

Top of the line vehicle pricing tips over $90k, the pricing is out of line with the competition

No electrified or hybrid vehicle available

Verdict: Out the gate, pricing for Lincoln’s Aviator starts at $58,000. While the midsize vehicle received a midcycle update, surprisingly it doesn’t wear the bowtie-like grille like its flagship sibling, the newly designed Navigator.

Moreover, the Aviator, with its 400-horsepower, 6-cylinder engine, receives a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment screen for the 2025 model year. It would have seemed fitting to add a gigantic door-to-door screen to mimic what’s in the new Navigator.

And, the stylish Aviator, with its car-like ride, is available in several trims. Depending upon the trim, the three-row crossover can be configured with either a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system. Our well-equipped test model, with the hands-free steering system and optional 22-inch wheels, stickered for an eye-popping $90,000. While we enjoyed our time behind the wheel, we would suggest have to steering clear of the higher trim in the Aviator Black Label and possibly stepping down to a lower trim. From our analysis, the pricing is out of line when compared to Cadillac's, Genesis, Infiniti's and Lexus top of the line three-row crossovers.

SUV/CUV Competition: Audi Q7; BMW X5; Cadillac XT6; Genesis GV80 and Infiniti QX60 and Lexus TX