MotorTrend's first look at the 2025 Lincoln Aviator highlights its similarities to Lincoln's stablemates
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MotorTranscript
00:00 [music]
00:06 This is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator.
00:11 [music]
00:14 For 2025, we've had a refresh.
00:17 What Lincoln did was they wanted to give it a face similar to its little brothers,
00:21 the Corsair and the Nautilus.
00:23 To that end, we have a new grille.
00:27 It's a little bit bigger.
00:28 Part of an overall desire to make it look more dynamic
00:31 and give it a little more attitude.
00:33 [music]
00:36 Inside, there are a couple of different interior choices.
00:40 Across the lineup, you can get a chocolate brown or a grey.
00:44 If you're in the black label, which we are now, there are themed ones
00:48 and this new one is actually a black interior.
00:52 Believe it or not, there was not a black interior in the past for the black label trim.
00:57 So they've remedied that.
00:58 The big update is with the screens.
01:01 The driver now has a 12.4-inch screen and a head-up display.
01:05 And then we have a center screen here that's 13.2 inches.
01:10 We did think it was odd that the Nautilus, which costs less,
01:14 has the giant 48-inch coast-to-coast screen and a center console screen.
01:20 But they both at least have the same digital platform,
01:24 so they have the same software, and that comes with a ton of apps and versatility.
01:30 You can use embedded Google, Google Voice, Google Assistant, Google Maps,
01:35 or you can still use CarPlay and Siri.
01:38 They wanted to give you a lot of options of things that you can do.
01:42 And for those who like gaming, there's a couple of games in here,
01:46 but you've got to be in par.
01:48 They did get rid of some of the buttons with all of this screen,
01:52 but we still have some important ones.
01:54 We've got the volume button.
01:55 We've got a row of buttons here, including your max defrost,
02:00 turning off your traction control, obviously your hazard,
02:02 and a couple of other key ones.
02:04 The other little change is they've moved the engine start/stop button
02:09 here into the piano key shifter.
02:12 One of the things that Lincoln did to simplify the lineup
02:16 was to put more standard equipment on it.
02:18 And that includes things like the sunroof, heated and cooled front seats,
02:24 a trailer tow, Blue Cruise for four years.
02:28 This was to make it easier to build it at the factory
02:31 and also to give a little more value and a little more elegance
02:34 to whatever trim level you buy.
02:36 In terms of packaging, one of the features I kind of like
02:40 is a separate cubby for the wireless charging of your phone,
02:44 and it's on an angle. Slide it in there so you can kind of still see it
02:49 when you're sitting behind the wheel.
02:52 This is the reserve trim level.
02:55 What's nice about this is the hot chocolate interior.
02:59 It's not a lot different from the outgoing model,
03:02 but a couple of things I like.
03:04 For the kids to play with, they have their own center screen.
03:07 And for the ones who have to go all the way to the back,
03:11 look how easy it is.
03:14 So what powers this?
03:19 Well, it is the same 3-litre twin-turbo V6,
03:23 which puts out 400 horsepower, so that's no slouch.
03:27 It's rear-drive biased, but there is optional all-wheel drive.
03:32 And there are a couple of suspensions.
03:35 It comes standard with a continuously variable damping suspension,
03:39 or you can upgrade to the air suspension.
03:43 For 2025, Lincoln is simplifying the lineup,
03:47 which means they are now down to three trim levels.
03:51 You have your base premium, then you have the reserve,
03:55 and then you have the top-of-the-line black label,
03:58 which has 22-inch wheels for the first time, by the way.
04:01 Gone is the Grand Touring, which was the plug-in hybrid.
04:06 That means no more electrification for the Aviator.
04:10 Hmm, is that because there's a pure electric Aviator coming in the next few years?
04:16 Built in Chicago, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator goes on sale this summer
04:23 with a starting price just under $60,000.
04:27 That's about $5,000 more than the outgoing model,
04:31 but again, a lot more standard equipment, so could end up being a bargain.
04:36 For Motor Trend, I'm Alisa Priddle.
04:39 (dramatic music)