A Week With: 2025 Lincoln Aviator Black Label

Many people forget it was Lincoln that kicked off the full-size luxury SUV phenomenon two decades ago. The luxury SUV segment’s only continued to expand since then with brand’s filling their portfolios with posh off-roaders that rarely see anything more challenging than a two-track. Lincoln led the charge and looks to remain a top player, and the 2025 Lincoln Aviator certainly helps the cause.

For 2025, the Aviator gets a few updates, starting with a revised grille that is wider and more inline with the rest of the Lincoln lineup. The result is an elegant ute with gravitas. There is no mistaking that this is a luxury vehicle — with a hefty price tag.

Our tester came in Cenote Green Metallic with an Onyx Moonbeam interior. The exterior hue is attractive, seemingly green with bits of blue and gray that, once combined produce a rich and deep look. It’s the kind of color that makes you stop and look. Not because it’s unique, but it does grab you because of its depth.

The headlights retain their sleek, swept-back look, mirrored by the taillights. It’s a complementary, contemporary look that completes the look Lincoln designers sought.

Go matches the show

And while I teased a bit about these utes being more show pony than bucking bronco, the 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 under the hood will put on a performance — of speed and power. Paired with a 10-speed automatic, the combo puts out 400 horsepower and races from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds. That’s about a second faster than competitors like the Acura MDX and Genesis GV80.

As for off-roading, it’s unlikely you’ll actually try it in this vehicle. However, it could take you to some interesting places with all-wheel drive available on the Premiere and Reserve trim levels. Our Black Label model comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Fuel economy is fine for the segment, as the Aviator averages 20 mpg combined, according to EPA ratings, and our tester hit that mark.

It’s a big vehicle capable of carrying plenty of people and things, but it’s remarkably nimble with its adaptive suspension. The straight-line speed is impressive, although not earth-shattering. That being said, this vehicle is made for cruising, and it’s at its best when doing just that.

Sit back and relax

Yes, it’s true. Lincoln offers the best interiors of just about any luxury vehicle and, in my mind, is tops on any vehicle that doesn’t have a price tag with six numbers before the decimal point. Let’s start with the Onyx Moonbeam leather seats and trim — white for us commoners.

The Savannah Leather is supple, but sturdy. Again, this is a vehicle you should be able to drive for years and feel like it’s an experience each time you climb into the cabin. Moonbeam is one of three “interior themes” from Lincoln, Flight and Innovation being the others. As mentioned, it’s white leather with gray contrast stitching.

It also features funky trim pieces that are black and silver. Some folks thought it looked lightning, others suggested it looked like someone had begun scraping part of the black material off. Bottom line: no one liked it.

Those seats are not only comfortable because of the leather. The front seats can be adjusted 30 ways and offer a massaging function. The front and second row seats are heated and ventilated, which ensures everyone can be a relaxed and comfortable as possible. Second row passengers enjoy legroom that is nearly the class leader, whether in they’re the bench seat or, my preference, captain’s chairs.

However, if you’re assigned to the third row, you’ll need to be Anna Kendrick-sized or a pre-teen child because there is less than 30 inches of legroom back there — and those seats are neither heated nor ventilated.

Comfort through technology

High-end vehicles today aren’t just loaded with soft-touch materials, but also use loads of technology to ensure everyone is comfortable. In some cases, it’s pretty simple with the Aviator, such as the four-zone climate controls or the aforementioned heated and cooled seats.

However, it also shows up with the screens and charge points. No worries about being able to follow route guidance for navigation on the rather large 13.2-inch touchscreen. It’s crisp and clear and set right in the center so it’s easy not just for the driver to see, but the other passengers too.

Designed to prioritize the use of voice, customers can select either the Google Assistant or Alexa in-vehicle controls to perform a variety of functions, such as setting the in-vehicle temperature, searching for information, or requesting a specific broadcast or satellite radio station. They can also help with making calls, sending texts, scheduling a meeting, or controlling connected home devices.

If you’re using Apple CarPlay, Siri voice control is specially designed for driving scenarios, like announcing or making calls, responding to messages using just voice, playing music, or sharing an ETA while navigating with Apple Maps.

The Lincoln Digital Experience connects to the client’s digital life to make the cabin more personalized. Passengers can enjoy streaming music, audiobooks, and podcasts using entertainment apps downloaded on Google Play.

You can use Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio, as well as embedded SiriusXM4 with 360L for a personalized listening experience so they are always available in the vehicle, regardless of whether a smartphone is connected in the vehicle, according to Lincoln.

Big money, big expectations

It’s too simple to say the Aviator is just a smaller Navigator, Lincoln’s full-size SUV, but it’s not necessarily an insult either. It’s clear Lincoln’s themed approach to its lineup is intentional, but these vehicles aren’t necessarily clones.

Our test vehicle with all of its goodies came in at $91,320, although you can move down to the entry-level Premiere model and chop $25K off the window sticker. That said, if you can spend a week in an Aviator, tell me you’d be happy with the less expensive version. Not. For. One. Minute.