First Look: 2020 Lincoln Aviator Makes World Debut

Lincoln’s elegant new 2020 Aviator mid-size SUV takes the fight to the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60 & Acura MDX.

New York, NY – Remember the Lincoln Aviator? Probably not. Only offered for a few years between 2003 to 2005, it was the shortest production run vehicle in the company’s history. But that was ages ago, and now it’s back for 2020 with a bold yet elegant look, new technology, and a Lincoln that was the first to offer a plug-in hybrid with a twin-turbo engine. We got a chance to get up close and personal with this pre-production/accurate prototype model ahead of its official world debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.

Hello, New Aviator. Goodbye Lincoln MKT?

Lincoln plans to release two new SUVs by 2020, with this new Aviator leading the charge. Considering the mid-size SUV makes up a quarter sales in the segment (and the outgoing, not-so-beautiful MKT mid-sizer just didn’t cut it with new buyers) it’s about time the luxury brand introduced a well-designed, contemporary three-row SUV to the mix.

Nestled between the full-size Navigator on one end and the smaller MKX (transitioning to the Nautilus next year) and stylish little MKC on the other, the 2019 Aviator will fill the gap with what we suspect will be a top seller for the company, serving as an upscale Ford Explorer equivalent.

The Millennials are driving Lincoln’s utility vehicle growth, according to the company’s new President, Joy Falotico. These buyers (and we’re not just talking iPhone wielding hipsters here but young families) will make up the majority of the new Navigator’s sales, hence, will naturally will gravitate towards the new three-row Aviator, stating, “the Lincoln Navigator continues to turn heads and bring new clients to the brand. We believe Aviator’s elegant design, state-of-the-art technology, and refined plug-in hybrid option will draw even more clients to the Lincoln showroom, including families looking for three-row capability.”

…pairing a hybrid with the twin-turbo is designed to offer shoppers options with a combination of power and electrified capability helping the Aviator deliver Lincoln’s quietest, smoothest, most powerful drive yet, according to the company.

2019 Aviator Release Date

We pushed for an official release date, but there’s no confirmed date yet. But it’s safe to say it’ll be sometime mid to late next year when we’ll see a 2019 model hit showroom floors (once official pricing and release date are set, we’ll have it up).

2019 Lincoln Aviator SUV interior
The 2020 Aviator’s new technologies include SYNC with the latest features, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 with an advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies (blind spot monitoring, lane keeping system, etc.), and a 12-inch standard cluster display driver front and centre. Pic: Amee Reehal

And while this Aviator we got close to isn’t a full-fledged production model, it’s not a glossy concept. So what you see here is likely what you’ll get. Maybe some interior tweaks and adjustments, according to the Lincoln designers, but expect the exterior design to look as is.

New Lincoln Aviator’s Main Features

Plug-in hybrid powertrain paired to a twin-turbo engine

Aside from being a Lincoln-first, pairing a hybrid with the twin-turbo is designed to offer shoppers options with power and electrified capability, helping the Aviator deliver Lincoln’s quietest, smoothest, most powerful drive yet, according to the company.

2019 Lincoln Aviator side view
Photo: Amee Reehal

Aviator is built on an all-new RWD architecture, although all Canadian models will come with AWD. There will be three grades, each with its grille pattern – Aviator, Aviator Reserve, and the Grand Touring hybrid. US buyers additionally have the option of a top-of-the-line Black Label model with either gas or hybrid power.

New tech: use your smartphone as a key fob

Appropriately called Phone as a Key technology, that’s right, you’ll be able to use your smartphone as a proper key fob when the new feature rolls out in the new Aviators next year.

2019 Lincoln Aviator interior centre stack controls
Photo: Amee Reehal

Activated through the Lincoln Way app, owners can lock and unlock, open the trunk, and, most importantly, start and drive the vehicle. And if your phone battery dies? A backup passcode can be entered on the standard exterior keypad to gain access, then use the centre touch screen to get the Aviator up and running to hit the road.

Other new technologies include SYNC with the latest features, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 with an advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies (blind spot monitoring, lane keeping system, etc.), and a 12-inch standard cluster display driver front and centre.

HUD and massage seats

In a further bid to reduce driver distraction, the head-up display can even be read through polarizing sunglasses. Thirty-position seats are available with enhanced massage capability and additional lumbar support for driver and front-row passenger.

Audio setup

A clever Revel Ultima 3D audio system restores some of the detail lost in music compression and has some of its 28 speakers in the headlining for what’s said to be a true surround feel. Meanwhile, musical tones recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra replace the usual electronic chimes.

Aviator Interior Goes Aeronautical

2019 Lincoln Aviator interior front cabin
Photo: Amee Reehal

The inspiration of luxury leather goods and aircraft-style, machine-turned metals features in the cabin. Highlights include a redesigned steering wheel with an ergonomically located voice command button at the 10 o’clock position and streamlined, four-way switches to control music, phone, and navigation functions.

Flexible second-row seats recline, adjust fore and aft, and slide forward for easy access to the third row, designed to accommodate six-footers comfortably. The Grand Touring’s location of the battery pack under the floor ensures that the plug-in hybrid drivetrain option compromises neither interior space nor cargo capacity. It even has a full-size spare tire.

Exterior Design: Clean Lines with a Bold Look

The new Aviator’s leaned back profile and falling fast roofline will set it apart in the sea of SUVs – up close, this is a good looking machine.

2019 Lincoln Aviator SUV first look
Overall, the 2020 Aviator looks clean, elegant, yet bold. The simple, streamlined rear design with the long, horizontal taillights help drive this point home. Pic: Amee Reehal

Viewed from the side, it appears to be leaning back with that sloping roofline. And Lincoln designers didn’t add a bunch of flashy chrome chunks. Overall, it just looks clean, elegant, yet bold. The simple, streamlined rear design with the long, horizontal taillights help drive this point home. The new Aviator is next up, following the company’s new design language with the Continental sedan and Navigator.

As David Woodhouse, Lincoln Design Director, puts it, “The lines of the vehicle are streamlined…you have the stature and presence of the grille at the front, then the body and tail taper off – creating a distinct aerofoil analogy.” Again, this Aviator is a prototype, but expect the real deal to look virtually the same when it arrives next year.

2019 Lincoln Aviator SUV rear view
The new 2020 Aviator’s leaned back profile and falling fast roofline will set it apart in the sea of SUVs – up close, this is a good looking machine. Pic: Amee Reehal

Powertrain Options For Lincoln’s New Mid-Size SUV

Under the hood of all Aviators is a 3-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine that makes 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Grand Touring model

In the Grand Touring model, the V6 is enhanced by a plug-in hybrid system that boosts the total available power to 450 horsepower and the torque to 600 lb-ft, thereby providing both performance and economy benefits. Lincoln has yet to release the available range from the battery pack.

Driving dynamics

The vehicle also features Lincoln’s most sophisticated suspension to date. An available air spring setup automatically lowers the SUV to greet the driver. At the same time, the adaptive damping system is linked to a forward-looking camera that reads the road ahead so that automatic adjustments can be made. An improved Co-Pilot360 Plus suite of driver assistance systems uses the same camera to add traffic-sign recognition to its armoury.

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Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.