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Home › Lincoln › Lincoln Aviator
✍ By Automotive Research Team
🕐 Updated: March 2026
Lincoln · Midsize Luxury SUV · 2026

Lincoln Aviator

Lincoln's plug-in hybrid 3-row SUV — Grand Touring PHEV delivers 494 hp and 21 miles EV-only range.

$52,715
Starting MSRP
25 mpg hwy
Fuel Economy
★★★★☆
Reliability
400 hp
Horsepower
2026 Updates Overview Trims & Pricing Recalls Used Market Buying Guides FAQ Sources
⚡ What Changed · March 2026
💰 Pricing & Value — March 2026
Starting MSRP: $54,935. Fuel/range: 27 mpg hwy (gas) · 21 mi EV (Grand Touring PHEV). All pricing reflects editorial estimates as of March 2026 — verify current pricing at lincoln.com ↗ before purchase. Not affiliated with Lincoln.
🔍 What to Know Before You Buy
This page covers ownership intelligence for the Lincoln Aviator: reliability patterns, recall status, cost of ownership, and how it compares to segment rivals. All data is editorially researched — not provided by the manufacturer. Always verify at primary sources.
✅ 2026 Model Year Status
March 2026 model year inventory available at dealers. Check manufacturer website for current incentive and financing offers. Federal EV credits (if applicable) — verify eligibility at irs.gov ↗.

ⓘ Editorial estimates only. Verify at lincoln.com

March 2026
Data Status
Current
Research
Editorial

Editorial disclaimer ↗

Ownership Overview

Who Is the Lincoln Aviator For?

Luxury buyers who want 3-row midsize SUV capability with strong power and optional PHEV efficiency. Commuters who can benefit from EV range on daily trips while retaining full fuel-powered range for road trips.

✅ STRENGTHS
  • ✓ Grand Touring PHEV: 494hp — most powerful Lincoln ever at launch
  • ✓ 21-mile EV range covers typical daily commutes for PHEV buyers
  • ✓ Standard 400hp twin-turbo V6 — class-leading power for a midsize luxury SUV
  • ✓ Made in Chicago — US-built luxury SUV
  • ✓ Revel Ultima 28-speaker audio available on Reserve/Black Label
⚠ CONSIDERATIONS
  • ⚠ 2020 first-year had significant reliability issues — buy 2021+ for used
  • ⚠ 21-mile PHEV range is below Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (25 mi) and Volvo XC90 Recharge (35 mi)
  • ⚠ Third row tight for adults on extended trips
  • ⚠ Resale value below European luxury competition
  • ⚠ PHEV adds weight, reducing handling sharpness
Quick Specs: 21 city / 28 hwy (3.0L gas) · 56 MPGe (PHEV)  ·  Built in Chicago, IL  ·  Parent: Ford Motor Company  ·  NHTSA Recalls ↗
Model Lineup

Lincoln Aviator 2026 Trim Levels

Every available configuration — starting price and who each trim is for.

TrimStarting PriceKey Features & Who It's For
Standard$54,935400hp V6 gas. AWD available. 7-seat. Entry luxury.
Reserve$62,935Leather, 28-speaker Revel, heated/ventilated. Most popular.
Black Label$74,935Bespoke themes. Full luxury spec. Lincoln concierge service.
Grand Touring PHEV$68,935494hp. 21-mile EV range. Tax credit eligible.
Grand Touring Black Label PHEV$80,935Max spec. PHEV + Black Label luxury.

ⓘ Prices are MSRP estimates. Verify at manufacturer's website. Not affiliated with Lincoln.

Safety Record · NHTSA

Lincoln Aviator Recalls & Safety

Always check your specific VIN for open recalls before purchasing new or used. NHTSA maintains a searchable recall database for all vehicles sold in the United States.

Check Your VIN at NHTSACurrent as of March 2026
Recall status varies by production date and VIN. Always run your specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗ before purchasing any new or used Lincoln Aviator. Free service, no registration required.
ⓘ This page covers ownership intelligence — for definitive recall status check nhtsa.gov with your VIN
ⓘ Data from nhtsa.gov/recalls. Not affiliated with NHTSA or the manufacturer. Verify your VIN.
ⓘ Check your VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗
Pre-Owned · Buying Guide

Buying a Used Lincoln Aviator

💰 USED PRICING
New MSRP from $54,935. Used pricing varies significantly by trim, mileage, and region. Check Edmunds, Carfax, and KBB for live used market pricing.
🔍 USED BUYING CHECKLIST
  • Run VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — check all open recalls
  • Pull full Carfax or AutoCheck report
  • Pre-purchase inspection by independent mechanic
  • Verify all recalls resolved before purchase
  • Test drive on highway and in parking conditions
✔ OWNERSHIP NOTES
Check manufacturer CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) programs for additional warranty coverage. Dealer-certified vehicles typically include a multi-point inspection. Compare CPO pricing against private-party market.
Research Guides

Lincoln Aviator Ownership Guides

Every ownership question answered on dedicated research pages.

🔌
Grand Touring PHEV — EV Range in Real Life
21-mile EV range, charging, and tax credit for the Aviator PHEV.
🔧
Aviator Reliability — 2020 vs 2021+ Differences
What changed after the troubled first year.
🆚
Aviator vs Lincoln Nautilus
3-row vs 2-row Lincoln. Which fits your needs.
🎵
Revel Ultima Audio — Lincoln's 28-Speaker System
The audio system that defines the Aviator Reserve experience.

ⓘ Independent editorial research — not affiliated with Lincoln.

FAQ · Schema Marked Up

Lincoln Aviator — Common Questions

The most searched questions — answered with data.

The 2020 Aviator (first model year) had well-documented issues including electrical gremlins, PHEV battery system concerns, and software problems. Ford issued multiple recalls and software updates. The 2021+ Aviator is substantially improved — if buying used, 2021 or newer is strongly preferred. The 2022+ models are the most refined and reliable.
The Grand Touring is the Aviator's plug-in hybrid variant. It adds a 13.6kWh battery pack and two electric motors to the 3.0L twin-turbo V6, producing a combined 494hp. The EV range is approximately 21 miles — sufficient for typical daily commutes. The system qualifies for a federal EV tax credit (eligibility varies — check IRS Clean Vehicle Credit), partially offsetting the PHEV premium.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L advantages: stronger off-road capability (Trailhawk trim), 4xe PHEV with 25 miles of EV range, stronger resale value, and wider dealer service network. Aviator advantages: more powerful engine (400hp vs 293hp base), more luxurious interior, standard AWD (optional on GCL base). For off-road use and value, Grand Cherokee L wins. For luxury and performance, Aviator wins.
Yes — the Aviator is available in 6-seat (captain's chairs throughout) or 7-seat (bench second row) configurations. Third-row access via the second row is straightforward. The third row is best suited for children and shorter adults for trips longer than 30–45 minutes.
The Lincoln Aviator is assembled at the Ford Chicago Assembly plant in Chicago, Illinois — making it one of the few luxury SUVs built in an urban American market. It shares the facility with the Ford Explorer.

ⓘ Independent editorial — not affiliated with Lincoln. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sources & Citations

About This Page — Independent editorial research by AmericanCarBrands.com. Updated March 2026. Not affiliated with Lincoln or any automaker. Not financial, investment, or purchasing advice. Disclaimer →