Car Review 2004 Lincoln Aviator Mid-Size Near-Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle

Base MSRP Range: $40,030 - $45,445

Base Invoice Range: $36,772 - $41,646

MSRP As Tested: Not Available

Versions: Luxury and Ultimate Sport Utility, Luxury and Ultimate AWD Sport Utility.

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Luxury SUV

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: All Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested : 4.6-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 32-valves, V-8, 302 -horsepower at 5,750rpm and 300 lb-ft torque at 3,250 rpm.

Transmission As Tested: 5-speed automatic.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 13 / 17

Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, power-assisted disc brakes, ">Antilock Braking System (ABS).

Competition: Infiniti FX45, Lexus GX 430, Chevrolet Envoy, Mercedes-Benz ML430.

Review

Once you slip inside the posh leather interior of the Lincoln Aviator your whole definition of a sport utility vehicle will change. Preconceptions once associating SUVs as rugged, outdoorsy vehicles will vanish. Illusions of a truck-like ride, gone.

Technically the Aviator is a sport utility vehicle. But between you and me, for 45,000 big ones you’re probably not going to traverse the back roads of the Big Thicket or haul a clunky bass boat behind it. Au contraire, this luxury utility vehicle is made to escort you and five-to-six other passengers to the opera, the symphony and perhaps, maybe, a rodeo - if there’s valet parking.

Falling under Ford Motor Company’s umbrella, the Lincoln Aviator is a late bloomer - especially when compared to its cousins, Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, both of which enjoyed huge success in the early SUV years. Only two years old, the Aviator has a lot of catching up to do.

Competing against a litany of high dollar luxury vehicles that include the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Lexus GX470, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes-Benz ML500, Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo XC90, though new, the Aviator has an edge: it can piggyback on the success of its older brother, the Navigator.

First introduced in 1998, the Navigator is older, wiser and has better name recognition. However, essentially, the Navigator and Aviator are basically replicas of one another.

Aviator’s flight plan

Aviator is positioned as an option for young, affluent consumers who are finally waking up to the fact that they really don’t need a SUV that can accommodate half a little league team and all of their gear. Goliath-sized SUVs are out, mid-size SUVs with not remarkable, but better gas mileage, lower sticker price and improved maneuverability are in.

It makes sense. To borrow from one giant retailer’s slogan, you get more for less. Less cost. Less size. And less driving hassle for basically the same interior and exterior. It’s genetic engineering for auto manufacturers. Take the basic (successful) vehicle DNA, remove the steroids and, voilà, you’re in the competition again.

Stacking up against big brother

When compared to the Navigator, the Aviator is a few inches narrower, 6.4"shorter in height and several hundred pounds lighter.

All of which adds up to 77 cubic feet of cargo room in the Aviator versus 104 in the Navigator - though smaller, there is room for six or seven individuals. The Aviator comes with two rows of rear seats. The second row is available as a bench (for 3 riders) or as two separate captain chairs with a center floor console between the two. The third row is a bench (for 2 riders). Comparatively, the Navigator comes standard with seating for eight (two rear bench seats at 3 riders each).

Interior comforts

Lincoln does a nice job of spoiling their passengers. The Aviator’s satin nickel-theme interior is every bit as elegant as what you would find in a luxury sedan: American burl walnut wood trim, creamy leather upholstery and white instrument lighting.

In the center of the dash is the signature Lincoln clock: an analog timepiece with a bone-colored backing and silver roman numerals and hands. Further adding to the Aviator’s upscale style is performance-glazed glass that absorbs noise and impacts much better than conventional tempered glass, a DVD entertainment system, HID headlights, a navigation system, a stability control system and rear-seat climate control.

Two trims

You can order your Aviator two ways: Luxury or Ultimate. Luxury models arrive equipped with dual-zone climate control, a CD player, leather upholstery, adjustable pedals and rear park assist. Opt for the higher end Ultimate (last year this trim was dubbed “premium”) and you’ll find yourself surrounded by heated and cooled seats, in-dash CD changer, 17-inch wheels and HID headlamps. Options for both include a sunroof, DVD entertainment system, DVD-based navigation system and a trailer hitch. With second row bucket seats and a third row bench, the Aviator can accommodate six (note: the third row is best suited for small kids) or opt for a bench seat in the second row to increase the capacity to seven.

New for 2004

Because the Aviator debuted in 2003, the changes for this year include just a few features, such as the addition of Roll Stability Control to the optional Advance Trac stability system to prevent rollovers during sudden maneuvers. The previously optional tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard and Sirius Satellite Radio is optional on both the Luxury and Ultimate models.

True, mid-size luxury SUVs have been around for quite some time. The market is tight, but there’s always room for one more - especially when it comes wrapped in such a well-engineered and attractive package.

Even with its fashionably late arrival, the Lincoln feels as seasoned as an old pro. There aren’t any kinks to iron out and the learning curve is flat. If you’ve been comparison shopping among the elite mid-size SUVs the deciding factor just may be the bottom line. Fully loaded, the Aviator is less expensive than a comparable BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz ML500.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 8
• Price: 6
• Handling: 8
• Ride: 7
• Comfort: 7
• Quality: 7
• *Overall: 7.2

More Data

Where Built: U.S.

Major Options: DVD Navigation System, Rear Seat Entertainment System.

Seating: 7

Number of Rows: 3

Length in Inches: 193.3

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 comprehensive warranty, 5 years/unlimited corrosion, 1 year/36,000 free scheduled maintenance, 4 years/50,000 free roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: Rear wheel drive 4,837, all wheel drive 5,002.

Maximum Payload in Pounds: 12,300.

Maximum Gross Vehicle Weigh in Pounds: Rear wheel drive 5,802, All wheel drive 5,954

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Rear wheel drive 7,300., All wheel Drive 7,100

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 15.9

Destination Charge: $740