2022 Lincoln Aviator

　　

2022 Lincoln Aviator Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Lincoln Aviator is a midsize three-row luxury SUV that slots between the full-size Navigator and the two-row Nautilus. The seven-seat Aviator made its return in 2020 after an absence of several years, with an all-new design, powertrains, in-car tech and advanced driver aids. It quickly became one of our favorite vehicles in the segment. It has a look and feel you won't find anywhere else in the class. The cabin is comfortable and extremely well appointed, with lots of premium touches that make it stand out in a competitive class. We also like the powerful turbocharged engine and the available plug-in hybrid powertrain.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Lincoln Aviator 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$219/mo  for Aviator Base

　　Aviator Base

　　4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $51,780 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $54,285 MSRPReserve 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $57,675 MSRPReserve 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $60,205 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A) - $68,680 MSRPBlack Label 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $79,675 MSRPBlack Label Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A) - $88,230 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　There are no significant changes for 2022 outside of a few more standard features on the Reserve and Grand Touring models and some option package tweaks. Without any major updates to the Aviator, the Audi Q7 remains our pick in this class, but we think the Aviator is better than many rivals, including the Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX 350L and Cadillac XT6. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full analysis of the Aviator's performance, comfort and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Aviator drive? The Aviator is quick in a straight line. While there's a slight delay when you ask it for power, the Aviator really gets going after that. In zzdcar' testing, our all-wheel-drive Aviator Black Label covered 0-60 mph in a quick 5.9 seconds.

　　Braking and handling are less exemplary. The brake pedal is overly soft, making smooth control difficult. The Aviator also feels big and wallowy when you're driving around turns and doesn't give you much confidence in its stability. Another problem is the transmission's clunky and slow transition between forward and reverse. All of these issues combine to make driving the Aviator less pleasing than we expected.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Aviator? The Aviator reminds us a bit of Lincoln models of old: It's big, heavy and cushy. Bumps are absorbed nicely, although there can be a bit of residual body motion. Wind and traffic noise is minimal, so you can have a quiet conversation in the cabin if you want.

　　The highly adjustable seats are quite comfortable once you've managed to dial them in. One notable demerit: The seat is a bit narrow, so you may feel the hard frame on your hips. As for the climate control system, it does a good job of regulating cabin temperature, though the seat heating and cooling are a bit weak.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below