Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid
Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid





+50
Lincoln Aviator model years
Lincoln Aviator types
- Plug-in Hybrid
- SUV
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2021 Lincoln Aviator Review

byBrent Romans
Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.
Pros
- Upscale design inside and out
- Surprising acceleration
- Lots of advanced features
- Supremely quiet inside
Cons
- Doesn't have an abundance of headroom
- Overly soft handling saps driver confidence
- Subpar visibility to the front and rear
- Clunky transition from electric to gas power
What's new
- Minor changes to option and appearance packages
- Part of the second Aviator generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The Lincoln Aviator is a three-row midsize luxury SUV based on the Ford Explorer. This new generation debuted just last year and takes its place between the bigger Navigator and the smaller MKC. It's priced competitively against its European rivals, though alternatives from Acura and Infiniti are more affordable.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A) 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 $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded and $0.15 per kWh for electricity in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$172/mo for Aviator Grand Touring
Aviator Grand Touring
vs
$261/mo
Avg. Large SUV
The second-generation Aviator comes standard with a strong 400-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine. There's also a plug-in hybrid powertrain that Lincoln fits to the Grand Touring trim level. It increases output to 494 hp and delivers an estimated 21 miles of electric-only propulsion. Overall, we like the Aviator, though it has a few flaws that keeps it from being our top-ranked midsize luxury SUV. Check out our Expert Rating to get our in-depth take on the 2021 Aviator.
Edmunds Expert Rating
good
7.8/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
There's a lot to like about the all-new Lincoln Aviator. The top-notch interior, the modern tech and the excellent ride quality are all great. But the plug-in hybrid version is a bit of an odd duck. It has a useful electric range and impressive straight-line speed, and it offers better fuel economy than the standard Aviator. But it's also only exclusively available as a top-level Touring trim and that will cost you quite a bit of extra money.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Performance
7.5/10
How does the Aviator drive? Thanks to the powerful hybrid powertrain, the considerably hefty Aviator Hybrid accelerates faster than we'd expect. At our test track it scooted to 60 mph from a stop in 5.7 seconds, which is quite quick for a family hauler. Braking performance was impressive too. And while it isn't a sporty SUV, the Aviator does move around corners relatively well.
What's less impressive about the Aviator Hybrid are its low-speed driving dynamics. The switchover from electric power to gasoline is clunky. And while we enjoy the fast, smooth shifts from the 10-speed automatic under full acceleration, they're less transparent when you're out for a cruise around town.
What's less impressive about the Aviator Hybrid are its low-speed driving dynamics. The switchover from electric power to gasoline is clunky. And while we enjoy the fast, smooth shifts from the 10-speed automatic under full acceleration, they're less transparent when you're out for a cruise around town.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Aviator? Comfort is the Aviator Hybrid's strong suit. Our tester came with Lincoln's 30-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions. They are incredibly luxurious. The Aviator also has comfortable second-row seating and very effective ventilated and heated first- and second-row seats. The third row isn't bad either — despite some relatively flat seat cushions, it offers a fair amount of comfort.
The ride on the highway is generally smooth thanks to an adaptive suspension. It softens large impacts well but can sometimes feel a bit jiggly over smaller broken pavement sections. But the cabin is ultra quiet whether you're at idle or cruising along at 70 mph.
The ride on the highway is generally smooth thanks to an adaptive suspension. It softens large impacts well but can sometimes feel a bit jiggly over smaller broken pavement sections. But the cabin is ultra quiet whether you're at idle or cruising along at 70 mph.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The large cabin is roomy enough for adults of any size and the front seats' seemingly infinite number of adjustments — combined with a good range from the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel — means you can almost always find your preferred driving position. Adjusting those 30-way seats, however, is an overly complicated process.
The cabin controls are easy to reach and easy to read. Entering and exiting the cabin is a breeze thanks to large door openings and an adaptive suspension that lowers the vehicle as you approach with the key in your pocket.
Below-average visibility affects the overall score, with small rear windows and a big blind spot. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, however, and an excellent 360-degree parking camera is available.
The cabin controls are easy to reach and easy to read. Entering and exiting the cabin is a breeze thanks to large door openings and an adaptive suspension that lowers the vehicle as you approach with the key in your pocket.
Below-average visibility affects the overall score, with small rear windows and a big blind spot. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, however, and an excellent 360-degree parking camera is available.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? A massive 10-inch touchscreen is center stage on the Aviator's dash with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth connections were error-free over our test of the vehicle. The 28-speaker Revel stereo provides audiophile-approved levels of sound quality even if the maxed-out volume didn't bump as loud as we expected it to.
The Aviator's crisp screen means easy-to-see navigation guidance and various infotainment controls. Adaptive cruise control works well, keeping a conservative but respectable distance on the closest settings. But the lane-keeping assist system tends to let this SUV wander in between the lane lines a bit more than we'd prefer. The parallel and perpendicular parking systems are effective and accurate, but this big vehicle requires a pretty large spot to engage those features.
The Aviator's crisp screen means easy-to-see navigation guidance and various infotainment controls. Adaptive cruise control works well, keeping a conservative but respectable distance on the closest settings. But the lane-keeping assist system tends to let this SUV wander in between the lane lines a bit more than we'd prefer. The parallel and perpendicular parking systems are effective and accurate, but this big vehicle requires a pretty large spot to engage those features.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Aviator has an edge over competitors in storage behind the third row. Space behind the second row is average, and many competitors offer more maximum cargo volume. Small-item storage is impressive, with lots of large cubbies, cupholders and various areas to store your devices. Most car seats will easily fit in the second row, and there's easy third-row access for seats that have the proper dimensions to fit.
An available Class IV trailer package means you can tow as much as 5,600 pounds with the Aviator Hybrid. It also adds trailer coverage for the blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert systems — unique features for the class.
An available Class IV trailer package means you can tow as much as 5,600 pounds with the Aviator Hybrid. It also adds trailer coverage for the blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert systems — unique features for the class.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Aviator plug-in hybrid is rated to return 23 mpg combined, which is 3 mpg better than the non-hybrid version with all-wheel drive and 2 mpg better than the rear-wheel-drive model. It puts up better numbers than some luxury plug-in SUVs such as the Range Rover but falls short of the Volvo XC90 T8.
What you're getting with the Aviator, though, is real plug-in power that you can use in city traffic (even if it's slow) and about 21 miles of usable electric range. Unfortunately, in our testing, we had a hard time even meeting the standard Aviator's EPA ratings with our hybrid test vehicle, so we aren't optimistic about the hybrid's score in this category.
What you're getting with the Aviator, though, is real plug-in power that you can use in city traffic (even if it's slow) and about 21 miles of usable electric range. Unfortunately, in our testing, we had a hard time even meeting the standard Aviator's EPA ratings with our hybrid test vehicle, so we aren't optimistic about the hybrid's score in this category.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Aviator a good value? The Aviator Hybrid is only available in the highest of Aviator trim levels, the Grand Touring, and that means it's expensive. Our Grand Touring Black Label test vehicle had an MSRP of $90,645. Thankfully, you get a lot of equipment for the money. What's more, the cabin is built with top-notch materials all around.
Lincoln's warranty of four years/50,000 miles is average, while its drivetrain warranty and roadside assistance coverage of six years/70,000 miles are above average. The Black Label trims get some nice features such as vehicle pickup (in certain regions) for complimentary maintenance and car washes.
Lincoln's warranty of four years/50,000 miles is average, while its drivetrain warranty and roadside assistance coverage of six years/70,000 miles are above average. The Black Label trims get some nice features such as vehicle pickup (in certain regions) for complimentary maintenance and car washes.
Wildcard
7.5/10
The Aviator Hybrid is big on power thanks to the twin-turbocharged V6 combined with the electric motor. It's also a sleek-looking car from the outside, but it's not as shouty as some of its V8 luxury rivals from BMW and Mercedes. It's also relatively fun to drive. For the right buyer, this SUV could be a refreshing alternative to Europe's finest.
Which Aviator does Edmunds recommend?
The standard Grand Touring has a wealth of features and will be enough for most people. Just make sure to get a model with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus package for its advanced driver safety aids.
2021 Lincoln Aviator models
The Aviator is a three-row SUV that comes in five trim levels: Standard, Reserve, Black Label, Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label. The first three are powered by a turbocharged V6 engine, while the latter two are equipped with the more powerful hybrid version. Rear-wheel drive is standard with optional all-wheel drive on the first two trims — all others are AWD-only. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board.
Standard
A generous starting package that includes:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (400 hp, 415 lb-ft of torque)
- LED headlamps
- Roof rails
- Power liftgate
- Keyless ignition and push-button start
- 35/30/35-split second-row bench seat
- 50/50-split power-folding third-row seat
- Digital instrument cluster
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Integrated navigation system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
- Lane keeping assist (steers the Aviator back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Reserve
Better equipped than the base version thanks to:
- Adaptive suspension (improves ride comfort and handling; requires 22-inch wheels or AWD)
- Power-adjustable steering wheel
- Premium leather upholstery
- Second-row captain's chairs (bench seat is optional)
- 14-speaker sound system
- Quad-zone automatic climate control
- Ambient interior lighting
- 360-degree surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Aviator and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
There are a variety of optional packages for the Reserve, though Lincoln bundles most of them together under the Reserve I and Reserve II group packages. They include:
- Convenience package
- Head-up display
- Phone-as-a-key capability
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
- Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
- Elements Package Plus
- Heated and ventilated front and second-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated windshield wipers
- Luxury package
- Upgraded 30-way power-adjustable front seats
- 28-speaker premium audio system
- Rear door sunshades
- Dynamic Handling package
- Adaptive air-ride suspension (can raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle)
Black Label
A well-equipped model that adds optional features and packages as standard, such as:
- 22-inch wheels
- All-wheel drive
- Turn-adaptive headlights
- Soft-close doors
- Convenience package
- Elements package
- Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus package
- Luxury package
- Access to Lincoln's Black Label services that include premium maintenance, pickup and delivery for service, points program that can be redeemed for exclusive offers and deals
Grand Touring
The first of the powerful hybrid models. It's equipped like the Reserve and has the same available option packages, but includes:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 hybrid engine (494 hp, 630 lb-ft)
- All-wheel drive
- Panoramic sunroof
Black Label Grand Touring
The top dog in the Aviator lineup. Fully loaded, it applies the Black Label's features to the Grand Touring and comes with nearly every feature as standard.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid.
5 star(40%)
4 star(6%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(17%)
1 star(34%)
32 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Cricket sounds in sunroof area
Ed Gallos, 04/13/2021
2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A)
My Aviator is just over 12 months old. About 6 months ago, completely out of the blue, it developed a couple of squeaks and rattle sounds that should not be in a vehicle of this price. I've had the car in to the dealer several time. They fixed the dashboard issue but have not been able to resolve the problem sound around the sunroof.
1 out of 5 stars
2021 aviator in the shop more than my garage
Michelle West, 07/03/2021
2021 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A)
This car is beautiful! BUT, it has been in the shop more than in our garage. It is a constant different issue, from transmission, faulty computer system, now oil leak, hood never aligned proper,back row seats stopped working ECT....
I WANT A NEW CAR
UPDATE !!!!GOT RID OF THE PIECE OF JUNK! BEST DAY EVER!
5 out of 5 stars
Very Impressed so far with 3000 miles driven.
Dan, 04/25/2021
2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A)
I purchased a 2021 Aviator Grand Touring II. Has everything except the rear seat screen system. First things first.. besides the distinctive exterior, the interior is just fantastic. Really comfortable, quiet and pleasing to the eye and touch. The air ride is great ... you still feel imperfections with from the tires on the pavement but the ride is very comfortable. I normally … don't listen to anything when I drive to let me think internally, but the Revel sound system is truly stunning. Super crisp highs and accurate bass without being unnatural or boomy. Been averaging 31 miles per gallon in normal mode with the hybrid system doing it's thing. I've also not experienced any squeaks or rattles. The salesman mentioned that Lincoln had made a modification to a common rattle in the 2020 model years.
The not perfect items for me owning the Aviator is the whole thing is so high tech that there is always something going on with the car.. little machine noises doing some thing or other.. sometimes in breaking you can feel some magic going on with the pedal (i think associated with the change in engine/electric regenerative breaking).
But, all in all being my first Hybrid ... i'm sold on electric cars. A lot of trips involving 30 minutes or less drive time I'm on pure electricity and it is so quiet yet incredibly powerful.
5 out of 5 stars
Flashy but Modest
Marco, 08/22/2021
2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 10A)
After owning several BMW’s, especially X3 and X5 we decided to give the new Lincoln Aviator a go. The Aviator exterior is down right beautiful and the interior is second to none. Compared to the BMW X5 interior all I can say about the Lincoln is WOW. Leather is soft & supple, real wood trim and the controls are very simple to use. We purchased the Grand Touring Hybrid and the power is … incredible. The V6 alone is 400hp and couple that with almost 100hp from the electric motors you are looking at almost 500hp. Combined the hp with the 630 foot pounds of torque and you have a rocket on your hands. Combined electric and gas and you are looking at over 50 mpg. One feature I love is I don’t have to use premium gas, only regular which in the long run saves you money. Way to go Lincoln you out did yourself on this one.
UPDATE: Purchased or 2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring approximately 1-1/2 years ago. Right out of the gate the check engine light came on after only 1 week. I thought to myself “ what’s up”? Took it right in to the dealership and they took it right in and took care of the issue, said it was just a glitch. Whether that was true or not we never had this problem again. Secondly we had a driver’s seat start making a popping noise. Long story short after the second visit they found some fasteners that where loose and broken so they were replaced, end of issue. All in all the aviator has served us well. MPG, whether you are using the battery, gas or both it does really well. Anywhere from 27mpg upward. The exterior styling is fantastic and the interior is second to none of the other luxury class SUV’s. Power wise, all I can say is get ready for a rocket ride. 0 to 60mph in less than 6 seconds. WOW! Why we bought the Lincoln? Exterior styling fantastic, interior, as I said second to none. Overall performance great. I’m a true Bimmer fan, owned several, but this Lincoln stole my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Bimmers, but if this Lincoln continues to shine I just might be staying with a Lincoln. Keep up the great work Lincoln, we live you.
2021 Aviator Highlights
Plug-in Hybrid
Grand Touring
Base MSRP | $69,945 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Plug-in hybrid |
EPA Electric Range | 21 miles |
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas) | 56 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe. |
Cost to Drive | $172/month |
Total Charging Time (240V) | 3.5 hours |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Aviator models:
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Steers the vehicle out of harm's way if an impending collision is detected and the driver does not take sufficient action.
- Reverse Brake Assist
- Applies the brakes when the car is reversing if sensors indicate that the car is about to collide with an obstacle behind it.
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Warns the driver of obstacles in the road ahead and applies the brakes automatically if the driver does not react quickly enough.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover14.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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