America's serene three-row
The Aviator's 2025 refresh — continuing for 2026 — sharpened the face, installed a 13.2-inch screen with Google built-in, and added availability of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving, while the range settled into three tiers: Premiere at $56,910, Reserve at $66,730, and Black Label at $85,910.
Under every hood: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 making 400 hp and 415 lb-ft through a ten-speed automatic, rear- or all-wheel drive. The former Grand Touring plug-in hybrid is gone — dropped with the refresh — leaving Lincoln without an electrified answer in a class rapidly acquiring them.
What Lincoln does differently
Serenity as a design language. Where German rivals sell sport pretension, the Aviator sells effortlessness: a 400-hp wave of torque delivered in silence, seats built for states-long stints, and — in Black Label form — interior themes, materials and ownership perks that read genuinely bespoke. Six or seven seats, 5,000-lb towing capability and nearly 79 cubic feet of maximum cargo keep it practical.
Economy is the old-school bill: about 21 mpg combined rear-drive, 20 with AWD.
The honest assessment
Two substantive cautions. First, reliability history is below average: 2020–2021 launch builds were notably recall-prone (electrical and software), and though later years improved, owner-survey standings remain a caution — on used examples, service records matter more than miles. Second, the missing hybrid: an Acura MDX shopper can't electrify either, but Volvo's XC90 and others can, and fuel costs on a 4,800-lb twin-turbo add up.
Underneath, Explorer bones occasionally surface in switchgear — trivial in Black Label, noticeable in Premiere.
The questions buyers actually ask
Aviator or MDX? The Acura handles better and holds a stronger reliability record; the Lincoln is quieter, torquier and plusher. Comfort buyers take the Aviator.
Is Black Label worth $86k? As an experience, it's the best interior Ford Motor Company builds. As value, Reserve with options replicates 80% for $15k less.
Should the dropped PHEV worry me on used ones? The Grand Touring was complex and rare; unless discounted convincingly, the pure V6 is the safer used pick.
- $56,910–$85,910 in three trims; 400-hp twin-turbo V6 across the range
- Refresh added 13.2-inch Google-based screen and BlueCruise availability
- Plug-in hybrid discontinued — no electrified option remains
- Below-average reliability history; insist on clean service records used
- Rivals: Acura MDX, Cadillac XT6, Genesis GV80, Volvo XC90
Key takeaways
- $56,910–$85,910 in three trims; 400-hp twin-turbo V6 across the range
- Refresh added 13.2-inch Google-based screen and BlueCruise availability
- Plug-in hybrid discontinued — no electrified option remains
- Below-average reliability history; insist on clean service records used
- Rivals: Acura MDX, Cadillac XT6, Genesis GV80, Volvo XC90
Sources & further reading
- Lincoln 2026 pricing
- EPA figures
- US luxury three-row comparisons and reliability survey coverage, 2026
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
