Short-lived Aviator proved a unique, reliable luxury SUV
Talk about short-lived! A blunder in Lincoln's marketing department may be to blame for this SUV's short, single-generation lifespan.
Aviator was a smaller version of the successful Navigator model from Ford's premium division. It's three-year life took place at a time when the mid-sized luxury SUV really started gaining in popularity for its ability to combine attributes of a luxury sedan, pickup and minivan under one roof.
The CD3-platformed Lincoln MKX was on the way, though not for a few years yet--so Aviator was conceived to fill the hole in Lincoln's model lineup in the meantime. Slow sales quickly killed it off, with many critics said it looked and felt like little more than a downsized Navigator.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Should you be after a stylish, powerful and trail-ready premium SUV, Aviator generally makes a good buy in a used machine. It'll prove easier to park, maneuver and otherwise navigate in tight spaces than a larger SUV as well.
It's a very stylish ride--and one that's capable, tough and decidedly more truck-like than some of the car-based entries in its competitive class. All the while, the interior boasted metal accents and wood trim for a serene atmosphere, while a sunroof and rear-seat DVD player were available.
If you've got a trailer, you'll be happy to know that towing capacity is rated at a class-leading 7,500 lbs. Aviator has no low-range transfer case, but rather a sophisticated all-wheel drive system that works invisibly behind the scenes to divvy up engine torque between the axles. It's attached to a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic gearbox, and everything is fired up by a 4.6-liter, 32-valve V8 with over 300 horsepower.
Talk about short-lived! A blunder in Lincoln's marketing department may be to blame for this SUV's short, single-generation lifespan.
Aviator was a smaller version of the successful Navigator model from Ford's premium division. It's three-year life took place at a time when the mid-sized luxury SUV really started gaining in popularity for its ability to combine attributes of a luxury sedan, pickup and minivan under one roof.
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| 2003 Lincoln Aviator |
The CD3-platformed Lincoln MKX was on the way, though not for a few years yet--so Aviator was conceived to fill the hole in Lincoln's model lineup in the meantime. Slow sales quickly killed it off, with many critics said it looked and felt like little more than a downsized Navigator.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Should you be after a stylish, powerful and trail-ready premium SUV, Aviator generally makes a good buy in a used machine. It'll prove easier to park, maneuver and otherwise navigate in tight spaces than a larger SUV as well.
It's a very stylish ride--and one that's capable, tough and decidedly more truck-like than some of the car-based entries in its competitive class. All the while, the interior boasted metal accents and wood trim for a serene atmosphere, while a sunroof and rear-seat DVD player were available.
If you've got a trailer, you'll be happy to know that towing capacity is rated at a class-leading 7,500 lbs. Aviator has no low-range transfer case, but rather a sophisticated all-wheel drive system that works invisibly behind the scenes to divvy up engine torque between the axles. It's attached to a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic gearbox, and everything is fired up by a 4.6-liter, 32-valve V8 with over 300 horsepower.
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