2003 Lincoln Aviator Review

One expects the roomy new Lincoln Aviator to offer good interior room, but its European driving feel comes as a surprise. After all, the Aviator is an American luxury sport-utility vehicle, and many such sport-utes feel soft and rather imprecise. The Aviator is Lincoln's first sport-utility vehicle in the fast-growing mid-size sport-ute market. The Aviator has a third-row seat that is fairly easy to reach and has surprisingly good leg room, although its stiff feel makes it comfortable only on short trips.

There are Luxury and Premium models and base prices ranging from $39,255 to $42,175 for the Luxury version. They go from $42,205 to $45,125 for the Premium model. Both Luxury and Premium models come with rear-drive or an all-wheel-drive system with no low-range gearing because this isn't an off-road vehicle. The Luxury version is loaded with comfort, convenience and safety items. They include power adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate controls and even turn signals in the side mirrors and a rear-obstacle detection system. The Premium model adds such items as heated/cooled front seats, in-dash CD changer and high-intensity headlights. The few options are a power sunroof and navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems.

To keep prices down, Ford Motor based the Aviator on the automaker's recently redesigned Ford Explorer and similar Mercury Mountaineer sport-utes. However, key changes have been made to make this new Lincoln model significantly different from those vehicles. For one thing, the Aviator looks a lot like a smaller version of the full-size Lincoln Navigator, with such items as a prominent grille. It lacks the Navigator's nifty power running boards, which slide in and out of the body. But its running boards are partly concealed by the doors--allowing the running boards to be wide enough for large shoes without sticking out very far. That's a nice "integrated design'' feature.

The twin-hooded dashboard is reminiscent of the classic, cleanly styled 1961 Lincoln Continental's. But that luxury car's interior didn't have the Aviator's burl walnut and satin nickel finishes. Controls for the sound system are too small, but a flip-down panel conceals that system's dashboard controls. The top horsepower rating of the Explorer and Mountaineer 4.6-liter V-8 is 239, but the Aviator's modified version of that V-8 generates 302 horsepower and more torque at lower engine speeds for impressive acceleration both off the line and at highway speeds. The engine loafs at 2,200 rpm at 70 mph and has a unique exhaust system that makes it exceedingly quiet.

The engine works with an advanced five-speed automatic transmission, instead of a conventional four-speed unit. However, estimated fuel economy is mediocre, as with all powerful mid-size sport-utes, at 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. The Aviator has a truly high-performance engine and thus 91-octane fuel is recommended.

Lincoln wanted the Aviator to have the driving character of the European-style Lincoln LS, which has a modified Jaguar platform. The Aviator thus couldn't just have an unmodified Explorer/Mountaineer chassis. Rather, it has a specially tuned all-independent suspension with such items as aluminum suspension components. There also are improved power steering and heftier brakes. There is a third-row seat and room for seven occupants, unless middle-row bucket seats drop that number to six. The third seat is fairly easy to reach and offers good leg room, although its short, hard bottom cushion is suited only for short trips.

The second- and third-row seats fold flat to allow a large cargo area--a good thing because there isn't much cargo space when the third-row seat is in its normal position. The smooth operating liftgate has a convenient two-piece design. The Aviator is high, but easily gripped door handles and those integrated running boards make it fairly easy to get in and out. The nicely designed interior is very quiet, partly because of laminated front-door glass that reduces wind and road noise and helps protect against smash-and-grab robberies.

Among safety items are curtain side air bags for first- and second-row seats that are designed to deploy in a side collision and rollover. The Aviator's quick steering, nimble handling and strong braking should go a long way towards keeping drivers out of rollover situations. The ride is firm, as with a European sports-ute, but comfortable.

An optional traction control/anti-skid system will be offered in a few months, as will a tire-pressure monitoring system that will warn of underinflated tires.

The ruggedly built Aviator isn't as nimble as the smaller BMW X5 sport-ute, but is fun to drive although it weighs 4,834 to 5,002 pounds.

In all, the Aviator is a worthy addition to the Lincoln line.


2003 Lincoln Aviator

Prices: $39,255-$45,125

Likes: Roomy. European driving feel. Tastefully luxurious.

Dislikes: Small radio and climate controls. Mediocre fuel economy. Third-row seat only comfortable for short trips.