2003 Lincoln Aviator Review
2003 Lincoln Aviator Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Secure and capable handling dynamics, plenty of luxury accoutrements, highly configurable interior.
Cons
- Lacks refinement when compared to some European luxury SUVs.
What’s new
With the Aviator, Lincoln has thrown its hat into the midsize luxury sport-ute ring. It looks like a three-quarter scale Navigator, seats seven and is powered by a strong V8.
Edmunds says
A three-quarter-scale Navigator that is more than just a fancy Explorer.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator Luxury Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$378/mo for Aviator Luxury
Aviator Luxury
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Although Lincoln was first into the full-size luxury SUV market with the 1998 Navigator, it has been sitting by the sidelines as Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and, more recently, BMW and Acura, have fielded entrants in the luxury midsize-ute segment. Until now, that is. For 2003, Lincoln flies in the Aviator to square off against the Benz ML500 and BMW X5 4.4i, which both have V8 engines like the Lincoln. The Lexus RX 300 and Acura MDX, both V6-powered, might be considered peripheral competition.
If you think we goofed and provided pictures of a new Navigator instead of the Aviator, that's understandable. The resemblance is purely intentional and gives the Aviator the appearance of a 3/4-scale Navigator, an upscale look befitting this segment. And if you think that the Aviator is simply a reskinned Ford Explorer (or Mercury Mountaineer), well, you're wrong. These vehicles do share most dimensions and some mechanical and body components, but there are a number of significant differences between the Aviator and the Mountaineer with which it will share showroom space.
The cabin is all Lincoln and features a symmetrical dash (that recalls the 1961 Continental), plenty of real wood trim, power adjustable pedals and leather seating, even for the (standard) third row. In addition to providing a choice of buckets or a bench for the second row, the Aviator also boasts more third-seat legroom than the full-size Cadillac Escalade. Controls are illuminated at night by white LEDs (that vary in intensity according to ambient light), and the steering wheel has controls for the audio and climate control systems.
The Aviator will have a 32-valve 4.6-liter V8 that cranks out 302 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, a healthy 62-hp increase over the 16-valve V8 available in the 2002 Explorer and Mountaineer twins. A five-speed automatic sends this considerable thrust to either the rear wheels for the two-wheel-drive version or all four in the all-wheel-drive Aviator. That muscle-bound V8, along with the Aviator's stout body-on-frame design, gives the Lincoln a serious towing advantage over its less rugged competition. At 7,300 pounds (all-wheel-drive version), the Aviator's best-in-class towing capacity is 46 percent higher than that of the Mercedes-Benz ML500.
Top-shelf hardware is used throughout the chassis as well, including monotube shocks, beefy stabilizer bars and a power rack-and-pinion steering system. The engineers' goal was to provide precise handling and steering feel without sacrificing a smooth ride. We'll let you know if they succeeded once we get some seat time.
An impressive safety features list includes hefty antilock disc brakes (the fronts measure 13 inches and have dual-piston calipers) and side-curtain airbags (that also provide protection in a rollover). Later in the year, Lincoln's stability control system, dubbed AdvanceTrac, will become available.
Although pricing wasn't set as of press time, we were assured that it would be more than competitive against its luxury midsize V8 rivals.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Lincoln Aviator.
5 star(79%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(2%)
121 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Bought this car new LOVE IT
v_sanders1, 05/16/2013
2003 Lincoln Aviator Premium Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
I've owned this car for 11 years new and it still looks beautiful inside and out. No problems what so ever and I only change the oil when it says to. It drives wonderful and is very safe (airbags even in back). I would buy this car all over again but they quit making them during our economic slump :( You will not go wrong with this year model 2003
4.25 out of 5 stars
Only drive while under warranty
Al, 03/24/2010
2003 Lincoln Aviator Premium Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
Its a pretty good bet that the transmission will need some work. At about 35k miles, mine needed to be overhauled while on a road trip out of state. Ignition coils were recalled and I would recommend just getting all 8 original coils replaced, BEFORE they go out, which eventually they will. Overall, I've enjoyed owning this Aviator but now that it's well past the Lincoln warranty and … extended warranty expiration, it's time to let this Aviator get some rest before it puts me in the poorhouse.
4 out of 5 stars
Wheel bearings, wheel bearings, wheel bearings
Jim Wieber, 08/22/2016
2003 Lincoln Aviator Premium Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
These trucks love to go through wheel bearings
3.63 out of 5 stars
Extremely Poor Reliability
Rsmith, 07/08/2009
2003 Lincoln Aviator Luxury Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
Enjoy the vehicle, plenty of power, comfort and overall utility. However, with only 75,000 miles, the following maintenance issues have developed. On three wheels the bearing failed,$1,600, the number eight cylinder is bad, requiring over $4,000 in repairs, transmission failed, over $3,000 repair, driver side window motor failed, $350 in repair, back window hatch cracked, and now the … shift lever is bad. The dealer did not treat me as a valued customer, but tried to gouge me and stated that I should get rid of the vehicle. This is by far the most unreliable vehicle that I have ever owned. Wil never purchase another Lincoln or so called American car.
2003 Aviator Highlights
Luxury
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $39,485 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 14 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $378/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Aviator include:
- Alarm
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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