Caraganza First Drive Review 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve: A Three-Row Time Machine to My Youth

Ah, Lincoln. The name conjures images of presidential limousines, decadently long sedans, and the unmistakable aroma of leather mixed with a whiff of “I’ve made it.” My own entry into Lincoln ownership came at 16 when I inherited a 1976 Continental Mark IV as my very first car. It was an obscenely large cruise ship of a car, with a hood so long it could land planes and a thirst for fuel that bordered on criminal. But oh, how I loved it. Behind that wheel, I was the king of suburban cul-de-sacs, my friends (and more than a few of my one-year younger sister’s charming companions) piled in as we cruised to the soundtrack of my youth. Life was carefree, the road was endless, and Lincoln was…well, Lincoln.

But today? Lincoln doesn’t make sedans anymore. The Continental—the very name that defined American luxury for decades—was unceremoniously sent to the glue factory after the 2020 model year. (Shame on you, Lincoln, for taking that away from us, I’m glad I had one more glorious week with one in 2017.) Now, it’s all SUVs, all the time. Which brings me to this week’s ride: the 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve.

If you’re unfamiliar, the Aviator is Lincoln’s mid-size, three-row luxury SUV. It’s the middle child in a family that includes the smaller Corsair and the larger Navigator, though don’t mistake “mid-size” for modest. This is not an SUV that gets lost in a Target parking lot. No, this is a rolling statement of success, equipped to impress your neighbors and intimidate anyone in the Whole Foods loading zone.

My test vehicle came dressed to the nines in the Reserve trim, with the Luxury and Illumination option packages, and the Dynamic Handling Package. Translation: It’s got all the goodies. On the outside, the Aviator manages to look sophisticated without shouting about it. The grille, adorned with a glowing Lincoln emblem, is as bold as a handshake from a politician on the campaign trail. The adaptive pixel LED headlights from the Illumination Package? They don’t just light up the road; they practically light up the next zip code. It’s like driving a high-end nightclub on wheels—minus the velvet rope.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin so plush it could double as a VIP lounge. The Luxury Package outfits the seats in rich leather so soft you’d swear it’s been massaged by cherubs. There’s genuine wood trim, a Revel Ultima 3D audio system that makes Spotify sound like Carnegie Hall, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats that feel like they’re hugging you—because they are.

Under the hood, the Aviator sports a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, cranking out a solid 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a sports car, but press the accelerator, and this big Lincoln hauls itself forward with the authority of a private jet at takeoff. The 10-speed automatic transmission is smoother than a politician dodging a question, and with the Dynamic Handling Package, the Aviator corners surprisingly well for something that weighs north of 4,800 pounds.

Driving the Aviator feels like piloting a cloud—a very powerful, very luxurious cloud. The available Air Glide Suspension absorbs bumps like they’re mere suggestions, turning potholes into polite whispers. And the cabin? So quiet you could hear a mouse tiptoe across the plush carpet. It’s the kind of serenity that makes you forget about the screaming children in the third row (who are, by the way, enjoying plenty of legroom and their own climate controls).

Of course, Lincoln’s pivot to SUVs might make some old-school loyalists sniffle into their monogrammed handkerchiefs, mourning the death of sedans like the Continental. But here’s the thing: The Aviator doesn’t just fill the void; it redefines it. This SUV has all the charm, swagger, and indulgence that made me fall in love with my Mark IV back in the day. Only now, it’s wrapped in a package that doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage for fuel costs.

So, is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve the spiritual successor to the great sedans of yore? In many ways, yes. It’s a vehicle that still carries that Lincoln magic—a blend of quiet confidence, undeniable style, and unapologetic comfort. It may not have the endless hood of my old Mark IV, but it made me feel 16 again. And isn’t that what a great car should do?

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve
MSRP: $60,190
MSRP (as tested): $77,540
Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 400 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm, 415 lb-ft torque @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel mileage (EPA): 18 city, 26 highway, 21 combined
Fuel mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 20 mpg
Base curb weight: 4,829 lbs.

Exterior Dimensions
Length: 199.3 in.
Overall width with mirrors: 89.9 in.
Overall width without mirrors: 82.3 in.
Height: 69.6 in.
Wheelbase: 119.1 in.

Interior Dimensions
Front headroom: 41.5 in.
Front legroom: 43.0 in.
Front shoulder room: 61.5 in.
Rear headroom: 39.7 in.
Rear legroom: 40.1 in.
Rear shoulder room: 60.0 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 18.3 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity: 77.7 cu.ft.

Warranty
Basic: 4 yr./50,000 mi.
Drivetrain: 6 yr./70,000 mi.
Rust: 5 yr./unlimited mi.
Roadside assistance: 6 yr./70,000 mi.

Greg Engle

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