2025 Lincoln Aviator Revealed with New Face, More Tech, No More PHEV

[ice-capades]

2025 Lincoln Aviator Revealed with New Face, More Tech, No More PHEV

The Aviator's first big refresh brings features like Blue Cruise and the Lincoln Digital Experience into the fold

https://www.autoblog.com/2024/02/05/2025-lincoln-aviator-refresh-revealed/

 

 

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is here wearing the model’s first refresh since its launch for the 2020 model year. That’s a long period of time to go without any significant changes, but luckily for Lincoln, the Aviator never really fell out of favor.

 

This refresh follows the Ford Explorer’s update for 2025, its platform mate, and the scope of changes made to the Lincoln is similar. The exterior wears the new Lincoln family front fascia with a taller grille, new LED headlights that creep into the grille itself and an updated front bumper. Nothing changes out back, but Lincoln says both the LED daytime running lights and LED taillights now feature welcome and goodbye animations. Two new colors join the palette – Cenote Green (pictured first in the gallery at the top of this post) and Whisper Blue Metallic – and a couple of new wheel designs arrive for 2025, too. None of these updates drastically change the handsome Aviator, which we’re fine with because this sleek Lincoln three-row SUV has always looked dashing.

 

Only one engine option is available for the Aviator, which is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to either the rear wheels or to all wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, which Lincoln says is re-calibrated this year for smoother performance. Unfortunately, the Grand Reserve PHEV trim that was dropped for the 2024 model year will not be returning in 2025. Lincoln tells us that its take rate of just 14% wasn’t enough to justify continuing to build it, which is a real shame, because that was one quick plug-in hybrid SUV with 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque.

 

The good news on the mechanical side of things is that the adaptive suspension is now standard instead of optional. The air suspension continues to be available as either an option on the Reserve trim or standard equipment on the Black Label.

 

The biggest changes come inside the Aviator. A new dash design does away with climate control buttons, tucking them into the touchscreen. The start/stop button moves to sit next to the other “piano key” style shift buttons, and the center stack is simplified with more empty space for beautiful trim to sprawl across. The storage areas in the center console are slightly re-jiggered, with the one pocket on the left being the new wireless phone charger.

 

The Aviator is also now rocking a Lincoln-skinned version of the Ford Digital Experience, a new Google-Built In infotainment system interface that just debuted on the Explorer. Of course, Lincoln calls it the “Lincoln Digital Experience.” The central touchscreen is now larger, measuring 13.2 inches, and uses Google services such as Google Maps as the native navigation system and Google Assistant as your voice command service – you can choose to use Amazon’s Alexa if you prefer, though. Lincoln proudly voices that it also supports wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability should you prefer that over the native infotainment. A revamped 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster pairs nicely with the new central screen and can run the Google Built-In apps like Google Maps directly in the cluster.

 

Blue Cruise is also on the list of standard features for 2025, which means every Lincoln vehicle now offers the hands-free highway driving tech. Lincoln says the functionality will be free to use for four years, but will require a monthly or yearly subscription beyond that time. You’ll need to pay for continued use of the infotainment system’s connected technologies once the single year of free use is up, too.

 

A new Black Label interior theme called Invitation (pictured directly above) joins the list of available options, too. It combines Ebony Black leather with laser-etched open-pore Khaya wood trim and brandy-colored stitching throughout – the appearance is quite beautiful in person, particularly the textured wood. Outside the Black Label, Lincoln says it’s added four new color options to the Reserve trim including Onyx, Light Space Gray, Harvest Bronze with Onyx accents, and Hot Chocolate with Onyx accents.

 

Other miscellaneous updates worth noting includes a big one in Lincoln making second row captain’s chairs standard equipment (though a bench is still optional on Reserve). A whole lot of other features are made standard for 2025, with some notable ones being the panoramic moonroof, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel and the trailer tow package, among others. 

 

Lincoln says it’s greatly reduced ordering complexity (fewer options, more packages), and the ordering process for the 2025 model is already open. Prices start at $59,890 for the base Premiere model. Stepping up to the Reserve means a starting price of $68,890, and the Black Label starts at $88,390, with all those prices including the destination charge. The first refreshed 2025 Aviators are expected to hit dealer lots this summer.

 

Edited February 5 by ice-capades
Additional Content

[ice-capades]

2025 Lincoln Aviator Debuts with New Tech, BlueCruise

https://fordauthority.com/2024/02/2025-lincoln-aviator-debuts-with-new-tech-bluecruise/

[Ares]

Looks good to me. The refreshed face is much much better in these photos than in those spy shots from a while back. I didn't expect the more rounded tablet screen. I do wish they did something with the rear, but overall great update.

Edit: Just noticed the new instrument cluster

 

Edited February 5 by matt6

[ice-capades]

I much prefer the grille and front-end treatment on the 2025 Aviator Reserve model. The Black Label model's front end looks like a "hot mess" and the Lincoln logo in the grille gets lost in the mess. 

[The Handler]

11 hours ago, ice-capades said:

I much prefer the grille and front-end treatment on the 2025 Aviator Reserve model. The Black Label model's front end looks like a "hot mess" and the Lincoln logo in the grille gets lost in the mess. 

That logo-inspired grille texture is looking kind of stale. Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz is doing that as well, and it looks pretty cheap.

[jniffen]

I just miss the days when cars used to have a front bumper.  ?
A definite 'no' vote on the front grill. Too much a KIA/Hyundai look.

[Texasota]

Recently the GM CEO announced that the company would be investing in hybrids. More specifically, it would be PHEVs and they announced they would be rushing  PHEV versions of the Sliverado and Sierra to market. This is polar opposite of what Farley has said about Ford's increased emphasis of hybrids. Farley said that the hybrid focus would be on HEVs, not PHEVs. Dropping the Aviator PHEV is consistent with Farley's stated direction.

 

Any thoughts on this dichotomy? I've thought for a long time that GM had made a big mistake by not having a presence in the hybrid sector, but now I think they are displaying more foresight than Ford. PHEVs help on CAFE/carbon issues, customers get a Federal tax credit/rebate, and it is a logical interim step for customers that aren't ready for BEVs. I'm thinking GM has a better plan than Ford on this matter.

Edited February 26 by Texasota

[akirby]

I used to think PHEVs were a great solution, and they do work great in certain circumstances but only if you actually plug them in.  Ford has over a decade of experience with PHEVs and for every PHEV you could sell 8-10 regular hybrids based on battery capacity.

 

My educated guess is Ford sees more benefit from selling 8-10 hybrids than 1 PHEV especially when you consider selling prices and compromises for battery storage.  Remember when GM poo poo’ed ecoboost engines?  Now they have one.  Tailgate step?  Same.  When it comes to marketing and product decisions on trucks Ford clearly has a better track record than GM.

[Texasota]

2 hours ago, akirby said:

I used to think PHEVs were a great solution, and they do work great in certain circumstances but only if you actually plug them in.  Ford has over a decade of experience with PHEVs and for every PHEV you could sell 8-10 regular hybrids based on battery capacity.

 

My educated guess is Ford sees more benefit from selling 8-10 hybrids than 1 PHEV especially when you consider selling prices and compromises for battery storage.  Remember when GM poo poo’ed ecoboost engines?  Now they have one.  Tailgate step?  Same.  When it comes to marketing and product decisions on trucks Ford clearly has a better track record than GM.

But, Ford does seem to have an oversupply of battery capacity right now. PHEVs could put some of that overcapacity to use. From my understanding, there are differences between hybrid batteries and BEV batteries that would need to be figured out.

[akirby]

58 minutes ago, Texasota said:

But, Ford does seem to have an oversupply of battery capacity right now. PHEVs could put some of that overcapacity to use. From my understanding, there are differences between hybrid batteries and BEV batteries that would need to be figured out.

Ford has never had an oversupply of hybrid batteries.  They can’t build enough Maverick or Escape hybrids as is and they need to add a Bronco sport hybrid at least.

[Texasota]

36 minutes ago, akirby said:

Ford has never had an oversupply of hybrid batteries.  They can’t build enough Maverick or Escape hybrids as is and they need to add a Bronco sport hybrid at least.

True, I waited 10 months for Escape PHEV. I was thinking more of all the new battery capacity that Ford has sourced but not yet online and could be redirected to HEVs/PHEVs.

Edited February 26 by Texasota

[akirby]

1 hour ago, Texasota said:

True, I waited 10 months for Escape PHEV. I was thinking more of all the new battery capacity that Ford has sourced but not yet online and could be redirected to HEVs/PHEVs.

I guess it depends on how hybrid sales go.

[ice-capades]

• The 2025 Lincoln Aviator Order Guide has been added to the Dealer Order Guides section. Thanks @FordVictim2023

[RedHoncho01]

This looks like a nice refresh.  I currently drive a Corsair GT PHEV.  The PHEV part is only good for a limited amount of miles.  It is best for people who drive short distances and not many highway miles.  I installed a ChargePoint in my garage so I keep my vehicle charged most of the time.  I have 25,000 miles on it and over 8,000 of those miles are in all electric mode.

 

I now have a 2024 Nautilus FHEV on order.  I will still get some benefit of electric miles while driving around town but not as much as the PHEV.  $1500 for the FHEV vs around $10,000 PHEV is a huge difference.  Yes, the PHEV comes with some other amenities but the cost differential is huge even with the potential tax breaks.  Those tax breaks fade out over time.  I believe the current Corsair GT now only receives $3,750 tax break versus the $7500 I received for my 2021.

 

I think Farley is on the right track by delivering more FHEV vehicles.  Unfortunately, the Aviator isn't going to be one of those vehicles as of yet.  If it were, I'd give it serious consideration.

[joseodiaga4]

Chinese model:

 

[Andrew L]

I like the rear end treatment on the Chinese model better however I like how the US one has less badging.  LINCOLN spelled out in the light bar as opposed to above it, is an interesting move.

[Hyins]

2025 Aviator debuts in China (2024 model in China)

 

Edited August 3 by Hyins

[joseodiaga4]

[GTL]

I went to the Lincoln website to build a 2025 Aviator Reserve I (AWD) and am confused by one of the selections that's actually a dealbreaker for me.

 

I need the vehicle to have a 2^nd row bench seat for my dogs and not 2^nd row dual Captain's chairs.  Pets can pass from the rear through the captain's chairs (and get hurt) while driving so this is non-negotiable.  Not to mention you loose one seating position without the bench seat.

 

Anyway, I also want the Jet Appearance package, but the website forces me to choose the 2^nd row dual Captain's chairs over the bench seat when I make this choice.

 

How is this possible?  Why would an external appearance package conflict with an interior seat selection option?

 

Is this an error on the website build or is it some crazy Lincoln market research stipulation where they do not listen to customer's needs?

 

Help!

[Andrew L]

4 hours ago, joseodiaga4 said:

 

I know not everyone is a fan of big screens but it's annoying that China gets better tech than the US model.  This would have been a nice way to hold over till they redesign the Aviator while the rest of the lineup gets the bigger coast to coast screens.

[akirby]

3 hours ago, GTL said:

I went to the Lincoln website to build a 2025 Aviator Reserve I (AWD) and am confused by one of the selections that's actually a dealbreaker for me.

 

I need the vehicle to have a 2^nd row bench seat for my dogs and not 2^nd row dual Captain's chairs.  Pets can pass from the rear through the captain's chairs (and get hurt) while driving so this is non-negotiable.  Not to mention you loose one seating position without the bench seat.

 

Anyway, I also want the Jet Appearance package, but the website forces me to choose the 2^nd row dual Captain's chairs over the bench seat when I make this choice.

 

How is this possible?  Why would an external appearance package conflict with an interior seat selection option?

 

Is this an error on the website build or is it some crazy Lincoln market research stipulation where they do not listen to customer's needs?

 

Help!

 

Its right there in the order guide that was posted above.

 

[Corsair kid]

no physical temperature buttons, ugh <climate control buttons, tucking them into the touchscreen.>  

[tbone]

On 8/3/2024 at 12:01 PM, Andrew L said:

 

I know not everyone is a fan of big screens but it's annoying that China gets better tech than the US model.  This would have been a nice way to hold over till they redesign the Aviator while the rest of the lineup gets the bigger coast to coast screens.

Unfortunately this has been happening routinely over the last few years.  It’s hard to understand considering they have the parts available to add to the NA models. 
 

On 8/3/2024 at 1:44 PM, akirby said:

 

Its right there in the order guide that was posted above.

 

It may be right there but it is a head scratcher why it would matter if you have a bench or buckets.  

 

On 8/4/2024 at 4:37 PM, Corsair kid said:

no physical temperature buttons, ugh <climate control buttons, tucking them into the touchscreen.>  

Sadly, the trend continues…

 

[tbone]

“2025 Lincoln Aviator Ditches Rear Door Sunshades”

Really, already?!  Come on man.  That didn’t take long.  Add in the ongoing rear camera issue, and the hits keep coming.  

[Chrisgb]

On 8/5/2024 at 11:54 PM, tbone said:

Unfortunately this has been happening routinely over the last few years.  It’s hard to understand considering they have the parts available to add to the NA models. 
 

It may be right there but it is a head scratcher why it would matter if you have a bench or buckets.  

 

Sadly, the trend continues…

 

Just a guess, but no rear bench w/Jet Pkg may have to do with juggling gross weight and weight distribution with a potential fifth passenger when 22's and Adaptive Suspension are present. 🤷‍♂️

 

I once heard why front bench seats went away was for two reasons: 1) The brakes could be made cheaper not having to contend with the weight of an added sixth passenger. 2) designing a center airbag was too costly to integrate with vents and controls. 

 

 

Edited November 16 by Chrisgb