Page 30 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

SUVOTY

Finalists

PRO Design inside and out • Supple suspension • Excellent stereo CON Hybrid lurches forward • Door release is hard to use • Expensive

Lincoln Aviator

ith its new Aviator, fast and has excellent body
Lincoln set out to create control,” said Evans, who also
Wa soothing and elegant liked the quick steering. Rechtin
vehicle that quietly rockets you lauded the Aviator’s offering of
and your posse along on-ramps. “a whole lot of drifty fun,” if that’s
In reviving the Aviator name, what you want your SUV to do.
Lincoln hatched a new rear- “It’s hard to remember that this
drive architecture (impressively is the base engine,” Cortina said
differentiated from the Ford of the 400-hp, 415-lb-ft 3.0-liter
Explorer’s) with a car-based V-6. The 5,167-pound vehicle Grand Touring
chassis, excellent suspension, scoots from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4
and all the accoutrements you seconds. That slays rivals from feels incredibly supple over A couple quibbles: The sole-
want from a luxury three-row SUV. Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz, uneven surfaces. It’s wicked cool noid button that replaces the
It also has a lot more power. while its fuel economy matches to kick sand up and over the inside door handle is awkward to
The upscale mood starts as the far less powerful Cadillac XT6. windshield of a luxury vehicle with push, and the semi-autonomous
you approach the vehicle; head- Loh described the acceleration a drive mode for all conditions. cruise control worryingly shut
lights and puddle lights guide the as unwavering and unyielding. Props on a beautiful and off without warning when we
way. Once inside, chimes from The 10-speed is smart and functional steering wheel. Press approached stopped traffic.
the Detroit Symphony Orchestra refined, the brakes smooth. The the cruise control button, and Pricing left us divided. De
greet you as you clasp a lavish bigger problem is the hybrid’s the speed-control buttons light Nysschen called the Grand
steering wheel and push the gear aggressive throttle tip-in, which up. The big infotainment screen Touring, which was equipped to
selector. “The craftsmanship and none of us could modulate well. responds quickly and is intuitive $90,645 for our test, “massively
design in this cabin are simply The Grand Touring plug-in to use. You feel the Revel stereo ambitious.” But MacKenzie felt
astounding,” Seabaugh said. hybrid Aviator electrifies the gas sound in every organ. There’s a Lincoln has put in the work to
Settle into the 30-way adjust- engine, but the extra motors and vertical slot for your phone and justify its prices.
able seat and add a massage. batteries contribute to its 5,838 easily accessible USB ports. Seabaugh was impressed:
“These are possibly the most pounds. Some judges wondered Third-row access is shock- “It’s done what Cadillac has
comfortable seats here; it feels where the 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of ingly easy. Push a button, and tried and failed to do for years:
like a Dr. Scholl’s insert for your torque was in this beefier model— the second-row captain’s seats build a distinctly American,
entire back,” Loh said. “Truly, a it’s only 0.3 second quicker than rocket forward. (The Mercedes- no-compromises luxury vehicle
lovely place to hang out.” the gas model in the quarter mile. Benz GLS and BMW X7 take an that competes with foreign
The chassis delivers a The rear-drive bias provides a eternity by comparison.) Still, the luxury marques on its own terms,
top-notch ride. “It’s easy to drive rousing ride; the air suspension third row is tight. not theirs.” Alisa Priddle

SPECS 2020 Lincoln Aviator AWD 2020 Lincoln Aviator AWD (Grand Touring PHEV)
Base Price/As Tested $54,695/$74,920 $71,575/$90,645
Power (SAE net) 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm (gas) + 100 hp @ 2,500 rpm (elec); 494 hp @ 5,500 rpm comb
Torque (SAE net) 415 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm (gas) + 221 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (elec); 630 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm comb
Accel, 0-60 mph 5.4 sec 5.4 sec
Quarter Mile 14.1 sec @ 97.7 mph 13.8 sec @ 102.3 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 124 ft 119 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.80 g (avg) 0.83 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 27.1 sec @ 0.69 g (avg) 26.5 sec @ 0.72 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 17/24/20 mpg Target: 18 mi EV; 23 mpg (comb)

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 6-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission AWD 3.0L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6/10-speed automatic Grand Touring
3.0L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6 plus internal permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor/10-speed auto Curb Weight (F/R Dist) AWD 5,167 lb (51/49%)
Grand Touring 5,838 lb (52/48%) Wheelbase 119.1 in Length x Width x Height 199.3 x 79.6 x 69.6 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy AWD 198/140 kW-hr/100 miles
Grand Touring 147 kW-hr/100 miles (comb) CO2 Emissions, Comb AWD 0.99 lb/mile Grand Touring 0.84 lb/mile
30 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020