The 2025 Lincoln Aviator Gets a Facelift, New Touchscreen and Hands-Free Driving Tech

Lincoln is doubling down on refinement, technology, and effortless luxury with the refreshed 2025 Aviator. As a midsize three-row luxury SUV, the Aviator is an important model for Lincoln, offering an elegant alternative to German and Japanese rivals. For 2025, the Aviator receives a facelift, a larger infotainment system, and advanced hands-free driving capabilities, making it a compelling choice for those who want traditional luxury blended with modern technology. But does it do enough to stand out in the crowded luxury SUV market? Let’s take a deep dive.

Folks today, I’m diving into the 2025 Lincoln Aviator: Lincoln’s mid-size luxury SUV that’s stepping up its game big time. Picture this: a sleek, three-row ride that’s gone under the knife for a facelift, packed in a slick new touchscreen, and even lets you take your hands off the wheel with some fancy driving tech. Intrigued yet? Buckle up, because I’m taking you on a wild ride through this beauty, and trust me, you’re gonna want to stick around to see if it’s worth your hard-earned cash!

Now, Lincoln’s gone all-in on SUVs, ditching the sedans like the old Town Car that used to rule the roads. The Aviator is here to carry that torch, and boy, does it strut its stuff. The new Lincoln Aviator sits just below the big-dog Navigator in Lincoln’s lineup, but don’t let that fool you, it’s gunning to steal the show with plush vibes and high-end goodies. So, what’s cooking under the hood of this 2025 refresh? Let’s pop the hood and find out!

The 2025 Aviator Has a Fresh Face and Some Flashy Lights

First off, the 2025 Aviator’s got a new mug, and it’s a looker! Lincoln’s designers gave the front end a makeover with a revamped grille and snazzy headlamps that’ll catch your eye. Here’s the kicker: when you walk up to it, these cool lighting strips do a little dance: sequential animations that light up like a welcome party. Lock it up and walk away? They flash again to say goodbye.

On the fancy Reserve and Black Label trims, those headlights get even smarter adapting to your speed and steering so you’re never left in the dark. It’s like the car’s winking at you, saying, “I got your back, pal!” But does the rest of it live up to that first impression?

Lincoln’s recent strategy has been to double down on luxury SUVs rather than go all-in on EVs. For an inside look at why Ford is making this move, check out why Lincoln is focusing on premium gas-powered vehicles while slowing down EV production.

For those wanting a more dramatic appearance, Lincoln is offering a Special Edition package, which brings a blackout treatment, a gloss black roof, and stunning 22-inch Ebony Black wheels.

Inside the Aviator's Cockpit: Tech and Comfort Galore

Step inside the 2025 Aviator, and you’re greeted with a cabin that screams “relax, you’ve made it.” The Aviator’s interior is plush enough to make you forget you’re not in a BMW or Mercedes. Lincoln’s got its own flavor of luxury, and it’s tasty. For 2025, they’ve slapped in a massive 13.2-inch touchscreen running the new Lincoln Digital Experience. Built with some Android Automotive magic, this thing’s lightning-fast. Think Google Maps, Google’s voice assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It’s like having a tech-savvy co-pilot who doesn’t backseat drive.

Up front, there’s a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster staring you down, and on the top-dog Black Label, you get this swanky new “Invitation” interior theme. Picture this: rich materials, unique vibes, and a Special Edition package that blacks out the trim, adds a black roof, and rolls on 22-inch Ebony Black wheels. Oh, and every Aviator now comes with BlueCruise: Lincoln’s hands-free driving tech.

Yep, you can let go of the wheel on certain highways and let the car do the heavy lifting. Sounds futuristic, right? But does it really work as good as it sounds? We’ll get there!

Lincoln Aviator's Trims and Pricing: Where’s the Sweet Spot?

So, how much is this luxury barge gonna set you back? The 2025 Aviator starts at $59,890 and climbs all the way to $88,390 if you go full Black Label with all the bells and whistles. Now, I’ve been around the block, and I’m telling you—the Reserve trim is where it’s at. Sitting in the middle of the lineup, it’s got all the goodies you need without making your wallet cry uncle. We’re talking four-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker stereo that’ll make your favorite tunes sound like a live concert.

Rear-wheel drive’s standard, but you can pony up extra for all-wheel drive if you’re dodging snow or mud. Is it worth the cash, though? Let’s keep rolling!

Power and Punch: What’s Under the Hood?

Pop the hood, and you’ll find a powerplant that doesn’t mess around: a twin-turbo V6 pumping out some serious grunt. 

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator continues to be powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this setup provides smooth acceleration and confident highway passing power.

You’ll feel a slight hesitation when you mash the gas, but once it wakes up, it moves.

The brakes are kind of soft, like stepping on a sponge. And around corners, it’s a bit of a wallowy beast—not as tight as a BMW X5 or Audi Q7.

The transmission’s a little clunky too, stumbling between gears like it’s still waking up. But on the flip side, the steering’s sharp, and it’s got a smooth, silky ride that’ll make you feel like you’re floating. So, it’s fast—but is it fun? We’re getting closer to the verdict!

Fuel Economy: Guzzler or Sipper?

Alright, let’s talk gas mileage because nobody wants a ride that drinks fuel like it’s at an open bar. The EPA says the rear-wheel-drive Aviator gets 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Go all-wheel drive, and it drops to 17 city, 24 highway. Compared to a BMW X5 or Volvo XC90? It’s trailing behind. I mean, in real-world tests, a Reserve trim managed just 22 mpg on the highway: not exactly sipping fuel delicately. If you’re looking to save at the pump, this might not be your dream ride. But luxury comes at a price, right? Let’s see if the rest justifies it.

For those prioritizing fuel economy in a luxury SUV, Lincoln also offers a plug-in hybrid alternative—the Corsair PHEV. It delivers great mileage while maintaining Lincoln’s signature luxury experience. You can read more about Lincoln’s luxury plug-in hybrid here.

If you're interested in how Lincoln's new tech stacks up against Scandinavian luxury, check out our deep dive into the 2023 Volvo XC90 B6 AWD Ultimate.

Room to Roam: Seats and Cargo

Inside, you’ve got options: six or seven seats, depending on if you grab captain’s chairs or a bench in the second row. Those captain’s chairs? They come with a cool console that makes sliding to the third row a breeze, or skip it if you want more space between ‘em.

Fair warning: that back row’s tight unless you’re hauling kids shorter than a yardstick. But here’s the tradeoff: 18 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, beating out the Cadillac XT6. Up front, the optional Perfect Position seats adjust 30 ways and even give you a massage.

And get this: a camera scans the road for potholes and tells the suspension to soften the blow. Fancy, huh? But is it practical for your crew?

Safety and Smarts: Keeping You Covered

Lincoln’s not skimping on safety either. Every Aviator comes with Co-Pilot360: think forward-collision warnings, auto braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Step up to Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and you get adaptive cruise control, traffic sign reading, and a self-parking trick that’ll make you look like a pro. Then there’s BlueCruise, hands-free driving on mapped highways, which I mentioned above in this review. I took it for a spin, and it’s eerie how well it steers itself, just keep your eyes on the road, or it’ll nag you!

Crash test scores? Check the NHTSA or IIHS sites for the latest, but this rig’s loaded with tech to keep you safe. Does it stack up to the competition, though?

The Rivals: Who’s in the Ring?

The Aviator’s slugging it out in a packed field: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Cadillac XT6, even the BMW X5 with an optional third row. The MDX and Q7? Sharper to drive. The X5? A corner-carving champ. The Aviator’s softer, more about cruising than carving.

But here’s where it shines: price for the luxury you get, that cushy ride, and now BlueCruise hands-free tech that some rivals can’t match yet. It’s not the sportiest, but it’s got swagger and comfort in spades. So, how does it measure up when the rubber meets the road?

The Drive: Smooth Operator or Snooze Fest?

Behind the wheel, the Aviator’s a tale of two rides. It’s quick - 5.9 seconds to 60 is no joke - but it’s not begging you to push it hard. The steering’s on point, and it’s eager to corner for an American SUV, but body roll creeps in unless you crank it to Excite mode. Even then, the heavy steering might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I’d kill for a custom mode that splits the difference, but nope, you’re resetting it every time you start ‘er up. Still, for long hauls, this thing’s a dream: smooth, quiet, and plush. But if you’re a thrill-seeker, will it leave you yawning?

The Verdict: Fly High or Stay Grounded?

Alright, folks, here’s my subjective verdict. The 2025 Lincoln Aviator’s a luxury cruiser that’s stepped up its game. The facelift’s sharp, the tech’s cutting-edge, and BlueCruise is a glimpse into the future. It’s not perfect - soft brakes, so-so mpg, and a third row for tiny tots only - but for $59K to $88K, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

The Reserve trim hits that sweet spot, delivering premium vibes without draining your savings. It’s not gonna outdance a BMW or sip fuel like a hybrid, but if you want a comfy, tech-loaded ride with a touch of class, the Aviator’s calling your name.

So, what do you think: does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have what it takes to win you over? Have you ever driven a rig with hands-free tech like BlueCruise, and how’d it feel? Drop your thoughts and stories in the comments below. I wanna hear from you.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.