We’re spending this week with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring. Our model is the range-topping Black Label trim level, which slots above the “regular” Grand Touring model. In doing so, it adds 21-inch wheels, a Dynamic Handling Package, and a Luxury Package.
The Dynamic Handling Package adds an adaptive suspension, while the Luxury Package includes rear-door sunshades, 30-way power seats, power thigh extenders and head restraints, a Revel Ultima 3D sound system with QuantumLogic 3D surround technology.
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator comes standard with rear-wheel drive, a twin-turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost V6 rated at 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission does shifting duty, driving the rear wheels as standard; all-wheel-drive is optional.
By comparison, our 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring tester adds a hybrid system to the twin-turbo V6, resulting in a total system output of 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque – significantly higher than the base model. A ten-speed automatic modular hybrid transmission transfers the power to a standard all-wheel-drive system.
As it sits, the model stickers for $89,540 after destination and acquisition fees.
We’ll have this loaded three-row luxury crossover for a week, so if you would like to know more about it beyond the spec sheet, post your questions in the comments section below and we’ll reply in a timely manner as part of our interactive review.
Let’s hear what you’ve got!
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Comments
I would like to know if the air suspension and electric motor is worth the upgrade cost. Do you ever actually need to plug it in or can you just fill it with gas and ignore charging it if all you care about is the added torque/hp. How well does the phone as a key actual work? Is the heads up display fairly useful and can it display android auto navigation? Also in the 3rd row can you put a kids car seat or do they not have the appropriate anchors in which you would need a bench in the 2nd row if you have 3.
Thank you
Hi Andrew,
I’ll try to answer a few questions:
1. The third row has one set of LATCH anchors on the passenger side, compared to two in the scond row.
2. The HUD is useful, shows traffic sign info, and speeds. It’s hard to see with polarized sunglasses on. No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay display.
3. While it does use regenerative braking, the system will need to actually be plugged in to get any meaningful range out of it.
4. I did not get to test the phone as a key.
Thanks for the update and good to know. So the engine does not top off the battery in a hybrid like mode? Does the one you are using have the bench for the 2nd or is it the 2 captains chairs? Do you prefer the GT or the standard reserve/black label more?
No, but it does use regenerative braking, which helps (a tiny bit). Our test vehicle had second-row captain’s chairs. I have two kids, so the extra room between seats is helpful to give each one their own space.
In terms of which model is preferred, it comes down to price. There’s close to a $18k difference in price between the Aviator GT and Aviator Standard, and a $37k difference between the Aviator Black Label GT and Aviator Standard.
Andrew, I think Chris is incorrect here. There is a selectable mode “Preserve EV” that will charge the HV battery while driving. Chris’ co-worker, Sam McEachern, wrote more about this. However this isn’t nearly as efficient for the vehicle as plugging in each night. If you don’t have a garage (with a normal 110 outlet), then you shouldn’t buy a plug in vehicle.
You are correct that the Preserve driving mode charges the battery up to 75 percent, but the rate is very slow. I should have been more specific. Thanks for chiming in, and I agree that without a charger at home, a PHEV or EV is a hard sell.
Perfect thanks for me I’m just lazy and don’t want to add a charging port to my garage or bother plugging it in. Id rather just fill up every 2 weeks. Only thing I like about the GT is the extra HP and Torque. Sounds like the reserve or Black Label standard might be best for me. Thanks for the input on the captains chairs.
This is a slick SUV, I like it I just don’t want one. If Lincoln could use this platform and make a Continental sedan and or Coupe look this amazing they would have a hot seller on their hands. Did Lincoln work out all the bugs customers have been complaining about is the biggest question
There are a few bugs, but not many. The touchy throttle and easily stained light-colored leather are the biggest that we noticed.
Chris, with a full charge, what is your actual range using “Pure EV” mode while driving around (non-highway)? And is that with HVAC system on or off?
It arrived with almost a full charge and I hit 15 miles before the gas engine took over. That was with two kids and a town full of errands to run. HVAC was mostly off. Fall in Maine is a great time to roll the windows down!
what is the tow capacity for the various models?
Is the ambient lighting full 16 million RGB or do you only get a limited amount of color choices? What’s the acceleration like in excite mode compared to the 3.5 Ecoboost in the F150? Are the tires 7nidirectional or just the rims? Thanks for the info!
Hi, to be honest, I didn’t check the ambient lighting color choices. Acceleration is more immediate than the 3.5L because of the hybrid system. If we’re talking about the high-output EcoBoost in the Raptor or F-150 Limited, I think the EcoBoost produces a better sensation of speed.
Even though, technically, the Aviator Grand Touring is faster to 60 mph than a Raptor with the EcoBoost.
You get 7 color choices.
White, gold, sky blue, red, blue, teal, purple.
Thanks John!
How does the 10 speed feel, any jerking or missing gears at lower speeds? My Corsair , with the 8 speed, is terrible for that condition.
It’s a little awkward and stumbles at low speeds. It evens out considerably above 15 mph.
How does the Revel Ultima 3D Audio System sound?
Also, how much inferior the 14-speaker Revel Audio System is compared to the Revel Ultima 3D Audio System?
I purchased a 2020 Aviator last month. 700 miles in and there’s suspension noise coming from the front driver’s side. 2020 Explorer owners are complaining about the same noise on their forum. I’ll bring it to my dealership next month.
Anyways, I walked in the dealership planning to get a Black Label. After seeing a $61k rwd Reserve in the iced mocha I wanted, I saw no reason to spend $90k.
Go to the dealership yourself and park a Reserve next to the Black Label. There’s nothing that’s screams “I paid $30k more.”
I simply upgraded the wheels.
I have a black label continental and the only reason I did so was for the interior theme/rims. So if you are in love with one of the black label interior themes and willing to pay for it great. Otherwise stick with the non black label.