The new 2020 Lincoln Aviator has done a lot to redeem its manufacturer’s reputation after what seemed like an unrecoverable nosedive. It comes with enough width in its cabin to make you feel like you are not driving a baby Navigator. Let’s face it — the new aviator feels like a proper luxury SUV.
Packed with a ton of tech and amazing new tech features, the 2020 Aviator is the new star in a growing crop of luxury SUVs. It has ditched its MKT bones for a new architecture and design, sharing its core componentry with the latest Explorer even though it's ideally a glorified Ford. Here are ten things to know before you buy a 2020 Lincoln Aviator.
10 New Wide Hood Design
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has a unique modern design. Its wide body is unlike anything the manufacturer has done before. This Lincoln has the widest hood compared to any vehicle from the Lincoln line. This luxury SUV’s hood meets the fenders at the bottom, wrapping it around going over the fenders, revealing its futuristic lines.
Unlike most vehicles, this Lincoln Aviator doesn’t come with a hidden lever under the hood in case you want to pop it up; instead, after pulling the latch inside your vehicle twice, all you have to do is effortlessly lift the hood. A tiny detail, but incredibly beneficial.
9 Advanced Hybrid Engine
The 2020 Lincoln comes with a 3L twin-turbo V6 engine that’s paired to a grand touring plug-in hybrid electric motor. The result is instant torque right away. The 2020 Lincoln Aviator produces 400 hp and 600 pound-feet of torque. It is the most powerful vehicle to come out of Lincoln’s production room. Its 3L twin-turbo engine runs with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Its hybrid electric motor features a lithium-ion battery located underneath the vehicle’s second-row seat. The hybrid battery is capable of powering the vehicle on full-electric mode for 30 miles — which is quite reasonable.
8 Visio Blade Wipers
The Visio blade wipers are a new technology for Lincoln. Unlike most vehicles that use a nozzle on the hood that splashes water onto the windscreen, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator has washer fluid lines connected right into the blade.
The Visio blades are a convenience feature that not only helps clean the windows efficiently but also helps prevent the washer fluid from splashing all over the place or onto the moonroof. Drivers will also use a lot less water. Lincoln has not used this feature on any of its previous models yet.
7 Unique Grille Design
The new Lincoln line up comes with a new unique grille design. Older Lincoln models had a distinct black label grille design that the manufacturer had scrapped. However, the black label 2020 Lincoln Aviator brings back the old design grille with iconic floating chromed-out Lincoln stars. At the center sits an illuminated center Lincoln emblem with a high gloss black finish around it.
Its unique grille design, paired with the wide hood design gives this amazing luxury SUV a striking majestic look. This floating star grille design will come with the reserves as well as the standard Lincoln Aviators.
6 Adaptive Pixel LED Headlights
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has impressive lights — Adaptive Pixel LED headlights. These new headlights are unique to the Lincoln Aviator and are not on any other Lincoln models. These headlights have 180 LED lights, meaning 90 LEDs per headlight. These lights are adaptive, and at high speeds, the light is projected farther, while at slow speeds, the lights are wider.
The headlights also work in conjunction with the steering wheel, but unlike other adaptive steering wheels where the lights projected tilt towards the direction of the steering wheel, these new adaptive lights will instead use the vehicle’s camera to detect the road ahead, helping the driver to navigate better, especially in low light conditions.
5 Air Glide Adaptive Suspension
The new 2020 Aviator comes with an Air Glide adaptive suspension system. Lincoln’s Air Glide Suspension uses air springs instead of your typical hard coil springs. The Air Glide suspension uses air bladders that stiffen or soften depending on the road condition, drive mode, and speed. Its adaptive suspension comes with 12 sensors that are mounted all through the vehicle to collect information on steering, acceleration, braking, and body motion to adjust accordingly.
According to Lincoln, this adaptive system reads the terrain about 500 times in a second and is capable of changing its setting 100 times per second. The adaptive feature helps the vehicle understand the terrain 50 feet ahead.
4 Reverse Brake Assist
Most modern vehicles come with a reverse camera and sensors to help you while you reverse. These sensors will alert the driver with lights or tones in case there is something in the path of the vehicle as it reverses. Lincoln has brought a new twist to brake assist technology, which includes an automated brake feature — relatively new technology in the motoring industry.
The Lincoln Aviator comes with a Reverse Brake Assist that will automatically activate the brakes if the driver is not paying attention, in the event something crosses the vehicle’s path during reverse. Hopefully, this feature is available with other models to come.
3 New Revel Ultima 3D Audio System
The Revel Ultima is an impressive audio system. In previous products, this audio system had up to 19 speakers fitted around the vehicle for optimum sound experience. However, with the new Revel Ultima 3D audio system in the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, there will be a maximum of 28 speakers (eight speakers in the headliner alone). With the addition of the height speakers, you’ll have a 360-degree listening experience offering a concert hall-like experience in your cabin.
The Revel sound system uses modern technology for 3D crisp, articulate sound. Also included is Clari-Fi technology patented by Harman that rebuilds audio lost during construction for an enhanced listening experience regardless of the source.
2 Active Park Assist Plus
Park assist tech has been around for quite some time, and it’s truly a great feature, especially when you are trying to park your car in small, cramped parking spaces. Your typical park assist features will control the steering while you control the vehicle’s gas and brakes.
But for the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, the new Active Park Assist plus will not only steer your vehicle into place, but also shift from park to reverse and vice versa, brake, as well as control the gas. All you need to do is press the Park Assist button once you spot a suitable parking space and let the aviator work its magic for you.
1 Symphonic Chimes
Most vehicles come with chimes that will warn you when your seat belt is not on, or your door is open. These chimes are designed to warn and prompt driver action. But honestly, most of these chimes are quite dull and irritating.
Lincoln worked with a Detroit-based Symphony Orchestra to come up with symphonic chimes for the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. Unlike your normal chime that could be irritating or repulsive, the Symphonic chimes used on the Lincoln Aviator are quieter and harmonic and not overly alarming. While having symphonic chimes is not a feature Lincoln can brag about, it is still impressive.