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Lincoln Aviator

9 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Lincoln Aviator
Pictured: 2020 Lincoln Aviator Black Label in Chroma Caviar Dark Grey, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2027
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Latest engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Best MPG
13–23 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
51 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2020 (120)
Fewest problems
2023
Interest
5,928 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 Aviator in brief

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,969 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 3% worse than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the seats.

The Lincoln Aviator has 9 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2023 at 23 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 13 to 23 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (88), unknown or other (49), power train (37).

Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2020 is the year to avoid.

2020 has the most recalls (30); all years together count 51 campaigns and 297 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Aviator compares

The 2005 Lincoln Aviator is a SUV - offered with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,002 lb.

About the Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator is a mid-size, three-row luxury SUV manufactured and marketed under the Lincoln brand of Ford Motor Company — and now in its second generation, with a hiatus from 2006 to 2020.

From the Wikipedia article "Lincoln Aviator", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 Aviator pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the Aviator with any other car →

Aviator changes by model year

  1. 2024
    • No plug-in hybrid version any more
    • Best combined MPG down from 23 to 21
  2. 2020
    • New body dimensions: 7.1 in longer, wheelbase +5.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • New plug-in hybrid version
    • Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 4.6L 8-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 13 to 23
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 9 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20273.0L 6-cyl turbo20 MPG––Not rated20
20263.0L 6-cyl turbo21 MPG199.6 in4,969 lbNot rated64
20253.0L 6-cyl turbo21 MPG199.6 in4,969 lb★★★★★1518
20243.0L 6-cyl turbo21 MPG200 in4,863 lb★★★★★87
20233.0L 6-cyl turbo23 MPG200 in4,863 lb★★★★★1630
20223.0L 6-cyl turbo23 MPG200 in4,863 lb★★★★★2263
20213.0L 6-cyl turbo23 MPG200 in4,863 lb★★★★★2845
20203.0L 6-cyl turbo23 MPG200 in4,863 lb★★★★★30120
20054.6L 8-cyl13 MPG192.9 in5,002 lbNot rated010
Best combined MPG by model year — Lincoln Aviator
2005: 13 MPG2020: 23 MPG2021: 23 MPG2022: 23 MPG2023: 23 MPG2024: 21 MPG2025: 21 MPG2026: 21 MPG2027: 20 MPG20052021202320252027max 23 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 Aviator

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Land Rover Range Rover23 MPGNot rated5
2026 Porsche Cayenne19 MPGNot rated1
2026 BMW X525 MPGNot rated2
2026 Lexus RX36 MPGNot rated3
2026 Volvo XC9027 MPGNot rated1
2026 Audi Q722 MPGNot rated1

Most common owner-reported problems

Electrical System88
Unknown Or Other49
Power Train37
Engine35
Service Brakes21
Structure › Body15
Visibility/Wiper12
Back Over Prevention10
Owner complaints by model year — Lincoln Aviator
2005: 102020: 1202021: 452022: 632023: 302024: 72025: 182026: 42027: 020052021202320252027max 120
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →