This week, I’ve got a real beauty for you! Introducing the new 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a 3-row luxury plug-in hybrid SUV.
I really like the sleek looks of this SUV. It has fantastic LED lights in the front and rear, 21” wheels, front fog lights, a lit Lincoln emblem in the grill, rear spoiler, and quad exhaust.
Powertrain
Here is the big news with the Grand Touring versus the regular Aviator, which I reviewed last year. Under the big aluminum hood is a 3-liter V6 with twin-turbochargers and a 13.6-kilowatt lithium-ion battery. Together, they are putting out-pay attention here-494 horses and an amazing 634-pound feet of torque. My tester has a 10-speed automatic with shift paddles and it is all-wheel drive.
Interior
Reach inside the door handle and open the electric door that is soft-closing to reveal a stunning interior. You first see the heated and cooled 30-way power adjustable seats that feature ultra-soft pillowing. It even has separate power thigh supports to raise or lower either leg, and of course, they will massage you. The massage can be aggressive or gentle and either way, it is nice!
As you sit to begin your adventure, you hit the start button on top of the dash and you are greeted by two welcoming screens that display beautiful clouds and instead of the usual chimes, you hear music recorded just for Lincoln by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
The gauge cluster is bright and configurable and if you look through the heated steering wheel, you see the best and most informational head-up display I’ve ever seen.
Everything operates from a 10.1-inch elevated touchscreen that operates audio, Bluetooth, Navigation, a host of apps, and vehicle settings. You can swipe left or right to access a ton of info and you can turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also monitor the hybrid system.
Under that are your climate controls, and your transmission shift buttons, which I like a lot. All this flows into a pass through center console with cup holders, a couple of storage areas, and a center glove box. There is also a cell phone charger, but it is a little hard to get your phone out once you put it in there.
This is also where you change the drive modes. You can choose from normal, slippery, deep conditions, conserve, Pure EV, Preserve EV, and by far my favorite, Excite. There are a lot of choices, and that is OK depending on what you want.
Heading to the rear, there are heated and air-conditioned captain chairs in the center row with cupholders between them, a 4-zone climate control system, and power outlets. A button on top of the center seats moves them forward for access to the power fold third row seats, which will fit two adults nicely.
Utility
Cargo area is really good even with the 3rd row seats up, and there is a nice storage area under the floor. Under that, you’ll find a spare tire. The lift gate is power and Lincoln even put an Aviator silhouette to show you where the lift gate button is.
Options
My review vehicle has the almost $15,000 Elements package which includes a panoramic moonroof, trailer towing package, the Dynamic Handling package, and the Co-Pilot 360 Plus package which is adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, reverse braking assist, and active park assist.
Everything else you see here is standard equipment, except the $695 charge for the absolutely stunning paint.
Cool Features
Some cool things about the Aviator is the voice command button is located on the steering wheel about where you thumb goes, and you can use your cell phone to unlock and start the car, however, if there is a battery failure, you can unlock the SUV with the actual key from a small hole under the outside mirror on the driver’s side.
Ride
Aviator has an incredibly smooth ride thanks to air suspension, it handles great especially in Excite mode, and overall it is just a joy of an SUV, Lincoln thought of everything.
I could do without the electric opening doors, they are a little hard to open from the inside, but otherwise I love everything about this SUV, especially the acceleration. It does take a little getting used to, you’ll throw yourself against the seat if you aren’t careful.
Fuel Economy and Range
Fuel economy is 23 combined on gas only. When you add the battery range, it becomes 56 e-MPG according to the EPA.
The range on battery only is 21 miles fully charged, so you’d need a short commute to make that hybrid system work for you.
However, you don’t buy this hybrid SUV for the fuel economy, it’s all about the power and performance, and it does not disappoint.
What You’ll Pay
The regular Aviator puts out 400-horses, but if you want to up that to almost 500, it’ll cost you roughly $12,000 over the price of the Reserve model.
Total MSRP on my ultra-loaded Pristine White Grand Touring package is $83,940 before the $6534 Federal Hybrid tax credit is applied.
Verdict
If you are a Lincoln lover and the Navigator is too big and the Nautilus is too small, this is the one for you.
2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug-In Hybrid
- What I liked most: Performance, interior and exterior appearance.
- What I would change: Another 10 miles of range on pure battery.
- MSRP: Base price $68,800 as equipped $83,940.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 23 combined on gas only, 56 e-MPG with battery.
- Official Color: Pristine White.
- Odometer reading when tested: 2,100 miles.
- Weight: 4,863 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized with steel wheel.
- Length-Width-Height: 199.3” long/79.6” wide/69.8” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons with the filler & power plug on driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 5,600 pounds.
- 2020 Aviator Grand Touring in a few words: A real performer that takes luxury to an all-new level.
- Final Assembly Location: Chicago, IL.
- Manufacturers website: www.LINCOLN.com
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance and complimentary pickup and delivery, and 6-years/70,000 mile power train warranty.
Credit: Lincoln Motor Company
