Lincoln Aviator Overview

The Lincoln Aviator is the luxury division's mid-size sport-utility vehicle. Based on the Ford Explorer, the Aviator combines a rugged, truck-based platform with a smooth luxury car ride. Properly equipped, Aviator can tow up to 7,300 pounds, significantly more than most imported SUVs in its size class.

The Aviator's mission is to deliver the style of the Lincoln Navigator in a smaller, more manageable, and less expensive package. Aviator lists for about $8,700 less than Navigator. Aviator is also priced lower than most V8-powered luxury sport-utilities. Aviator costs less than a Lexus GX 470, Mercedes-Benz ML 500, Infiniti FX45, and less than the V8 versions of the Cadillac SRX and Volkswagen Touareg. Aviator is also priced just below the six-cylinder BMW X5 3.0.

All-new last year, the Lincoln Aviator returns for 2004 with more options to enhance safety. Electronic stability control, which Ford calls AdvanceTrac, together with a new system called Roll Stability Control, reduce the chance of skidding and to help drivers maintain handling control. A tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard. The voice-activated DVD navigation system has been improved and refined, and now comes with an in-dash six-disc CD changer.