Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Aviator

[D-Rail]

We got our 25 Aviator Reserve in November 2024. Here are things that I think would make the 25 Aviator better than its competitors and better for my family:

1. Put a USB audio player app on the LDE, and stop formatting our music jump drives when we plug them in.

We take our Aviator to lots of places with no internet. Used to, we had a USB stick for "our music", a USB stick for "Kid friendly music", and a USB for Christmas music. It was nice to pop those in to have commercial free music when we were traveling out in the sticks.

2. Bring back these useful features:
a. Hands free lift gate
b. Rear camera washer
c. Soft close doors

3. Make 2nd row seats recline back as much as 1st row

This would make long trips so much more enjoyable for kids

 

[peterk9]

I fully agree with #2. I believe those were dropped to reduce costs.

Peter

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Did they get rid of the USB input in 2025? I have on our 2023 Reserve and use it frequently. We also have a long term subscription to Sirius XM.

 

[Robert M]

I'm going to address How I'd Improve the Aviator, but first I digress, as a first time poster.

My wife and i became first-time Lincoln owners in July 2021 when we took delivery of our new '21 Nautilus Reserve 201A, V6, Iced Mocha with Sandstone interior. We love the vehicle and I appreciate the responsiveness of the Twin-Turbo V6. It's been a very good soon-to-be four years with our Nautilus. All accolades, no complaints.

BUT, I'm a car guy, and when I fetched my September 2023 MotorTrend (formerly two words, Motor Trend) from my mailbox, I fell hard when i saw the photos and read Alissa Priddle's write-up on the 2024 Nautilus. I was going to have to get one of those. In March of '24 while our '21 was in for service my wife and i drove a '24 Nautilus and we both felt it was more luxurious than our '21. However, my wife (not a car buff) pointed out the financial foolishness of trading in a car with only 26,000 miles on it. So that was that.

Forward to now, and our '21 has but 36,000 miles on the odometer, but there seems to be a chance my better half is going to be willing to buy a '25 Nautilus this fall. In November another couple is going to join us for an out-of-state shopping trip, and just the other day my wife said that we should possibly get an SUV (she really didn't use the term SUV) with more cargo space. So my brain immediately thought of the 2025 Aviator with its midcycle refresh. The Spring 2025 MotorTrend has a complimentary article on it, titled "Worth Your Attention."They really like the '25 but lament that it doesn't have the 48 inch screen as in the Nautilus and '25 Navigator.

So I started to research the '25 Aviator and of course was pleased to see the cargo space behind the second seat was 42.7 cubic feet as opposed to the Nautilus's 36.4 cu. ft. But then I was bummed to find out that after 11/24/24 all Aviators built with the Luxury Package would no longer have rear door sunshades. Our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica had second row sunshades and they were much appreciated by everyone who rode back there on sunny days.

But the next thing I ran into 're the '25 Aviator hit me like a ton of bricks. I watched YouTube videos of China's 2025 Lincoln Aviator. For those of you who haven't seen it: WOW! The dashboard with its 27" high definition panoramic screen is absolutely stunning. I think it actually looks more upscale than the Nautilus and Navigator widescreens. There's a new steering wheel with a flat bottom and there appears to be new switchgear on the center console. The new taillamps and exhaust tips look great too.

Here's my predicament. If my wife will actually be amenable this fall to get a new Lincoln, do I go ahead and take the plunge with the smaller cargo capacity Nautilus, or do i suck it up and get the American spec Aviator, or do I sit on the sidelines and hope Jim Farley and Joaquin Nuno-Whelan will soon greenlight the Chinese spec Aviator for the American market.

Here's my response in an Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Aviator. First, I'd reinstate the rear door sunshades. They belong in a luxury vehicle. Why are you decontenting an $80,000 car, anyway? Second, I'd introduce the 2026 American spec Aviator based on the 2025 Chinese model (sitting in an American '25 is little different than sitting in a '20). PLEASE do this for your fellow Americans. You are after all, an American company.

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[D-Rail]

Allow me to esplain... no.. there is too much. Let me sum up.

1. The new China built Nautalis is way over computerized. I drove one and the screens kept going out. Also, you can't adjust your vents any more. I kid you not, they are run by the computer.
2. I have a 25 Aviator Reserve II and it has sun shades. Are you sure they are not there?
3. The 25 Aviator isnt made in china, doesnt have a 27" panoramic screen, nor flat bottom wheels.

I hate to ask, but would you by any chance have 6 fingers on your right hand?

 

[peterk9]

Allow me to esplain... no.. there is too much. Let me sum up.

1. The new China built Nautalis is way over computerized. I drove one and the screens kept going out. Also, you can't adjust your vents any more. I kid you not, they are run by the computer.
2. I have a 25 Aviator Reserve II and it has sun shades. Are you sure they are not there?
3. The 25 Aviator isnt made in china, doesnt have a 27" panoramic screen, nor flat bottom wheels.

I hate to ask, but would you by any chance have 6 fingers on your right hand?

As for the rear sunshades, when was yours built? He mentioned they will no longer be available with the Luxury package on builds after November 24, 2024. Mine was built prior to that date and I have them.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

I'm going to address How I'd Improve the Aviator, but first I digress, as a first time poster.
..............................................................

Welcome to the Forum.
There is also a big difference under that hood. The Aviator's 3.0L produces 400 HP with 415 Torque using 93 octane.
As for bringing the Chinese spec'd Aviator to North America, that won't happen. Some of its features may, however, be incorporated into our vehicles. With both the Nautilus and Navigator having the wide-screen setup, it may be added to the Aviator as well. I believe the 2025 model began production in May 2024 so the 2026 dates should be available in the next few months.

Peter

 

[Silverskates]

I'm going to address How I'd Improve the Aviator, but first I digress, as a first time poster.

My wife and i became first-time Lincoln owners in July 2021 when we took delivery of our new '21 Nautilus Reserve 201A, V6, Iced Mocha with Sandstone interior. We love the vehicle and I appreciate the responsiveness of the Twin-Turbo V6. It's been a very good soon-to-be four years with our Nautilus. All accolades, no complaints.

BUT, I'm a car guy, and when I fetched my September 2023 MotorTrend (formerly two words, Motor Trend) from my mailbox, I fell hard when i saw the photos and read Alissa Priddle's write-up on the 2024 Nautilus. I was going to have to get one of those. In March of '24 while our '21 was in for service my wife and i drove a '24 Nautilus and we both felt it was more luxurious than our '21. However, my wife (not a car buff) pointed out the financial foolishness of trading in a car with only 26,000 miles on it. So that was that.

Forward to now, and our '21 has but 36,000 miles on the odometer, but there seems to be a chance my better half is going to be willing to buy a '25 Nautilus this fall. In November another couple is going to join us for an out-of-state shopping trip, and just the other day my wife said that we should possibly get an SUV (she really didn't use the term SUV) with more cargo space. So my brain immediately thought of the 2025 Aviator with its midcycle refresh. The Spring 2025 MotorTrend has a complimentary article on it, titled "Worth Your Attention."They really like the '25 but lament that it doesn't have the 48 inch screen as in the Nautilus and '25 Navigator.

So I started to research the '25 Aviator and of course was pleased to see the cargo space behind the second seat was 42.7 cubic feet as opposed to the Nautilus's 36.4 cu. ft. But then I was bummed to find out that after 11/24/24 all Aviators built with the Luxury Package would no longer have rear door sunshades. Our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica had second row sunshades and they were much appreciated by everyone who rode back there on sunny days.

But the next thing I ran into 're the '25 Aviator hit me like a ton of bricks. I watched YouTube videos of China's 2025 Lincoln Aviator. For those of you who haven't seen it: WOW! The dashboard with its 27" high definition panoramic screen is absolutely stunning. I think it actually looks more upscale than the Nautilus and Navigator widescreens. There's a new steering wheel with a flat bottom and there appears to be new switchgear on the center console. The new taillamps and exhaust tips look great too.

Here's my predicament. If my wife will actually be amenable this fall to get a new Lincoln, do I go ahead and take the plunge with the smaller cargo capacity Nautilus, or do i suck it up and get the American spec Aviator, or do I sit on the sidelines and hope Jim Farley and Joaquin Nuno-Whelan will soon greenlight the Chinese spec Aviator for the American market.

Here's my response in an Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Aviator. First, I'd reinstate the rear door sunshades. They belong in a luxury vehicle. Why are you decontenting an $80,000 car, anyway? Second, I'd introduce the 2026 American spec Aviator based on the 2025 Chinese model (sitting in an American '25 is little different than sitting in a '20). PLEASE do this for your fellow Americans. You are after all, an American company.

I'm going to address How I'd Improve the Aviator, but first I digress, as a first time poster.

My wife and i became first-time Lincoln owners in July 2021 when we took delivery of our new '21 Nautilus Reserve 201A, V6, Iced Mocha with Sandstone interior. We love the vehicle and I appreciate the responsiveness of the Twin-Turbo V6. It's been a very good soon-to-be four years with our Nautilus. All accolades, no complaints.

BUT, I'm a car guy, and when I fetched my September 2023 MotorTrend (formerly two words, Motor Trend) from my mailbox, I fell hard when i saw the photos and read Alissa Priddle's write-up on the 2024 Nautilus. I was going to have to get one of those. In March of '24 while our '21 was in for service my wife and i drove a '24 Nautilus and we both felt it was more luxurious than our '21. However, my wife (not a car buff) pointed out the financial foolishness of trading in a car with only 26,000 miles on it. So that was that.

Forward to now, and our '21 has but 36,000 miles on the odometer, but there seems to be a chance my better half is going to be willing to buy a '25 Nautilus this fall. In November another couple is going to join us for an out-of-state shopping trip, and just the other day my wife said that we should possibly get an SUV (she really didn't use the term SUV) with more cargo space. So my brain immediately thought of the 2025 Aviator with its midcycle refresh. The Spring 2025 MotorTrend has a complimentary article on it, titled "Worth Your Attention."They really like the '25 but lament that it doesn't have the 48 inch screen as in the Nautilus and '25 Navigator.

So I started to research the '25 Aviator and of course was pleased to see the cargo space behind the second seat was 42.7 cubic feet as opposed to the Nautilus's 36.4 cu. ft. But then I was bummed to find out that after 11/24/24 all Aviators built with the Luxury Package would no longer have rear door sunshades. Our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica had second row sunshades and they were much appreciated by everyone who rode back there on sunny days.

But the next thing I ran into 're the '25 Aviator hit me like a ton of bricks. I watched YouTube videos of China's 2025 Lincoln Aviator. For those of you who haven't seen it: WOW! The dashboard with its 27" high definition panoramic screen is absolutely stunning. I think it actually looks more upscale than the Nautilus and Navigator widescreens. There's a new steering wheel with a flat bottom and there appears to be new switchgear on the center console. The new taillamps and exhaust tips look great too.

Here's my predicament. If my wife will actually be amenable this fall to get a new Lincoln, do I go ahead and take the plunge with the smaller cargo capacity Nautilus, or do i suck it up and get the American spec Aviator, or do I sit on the sidelines and hope Jim Farley and Joaquin Nuno-Whelan will soon greenlight the Chinese spec Aviator for the American market.

Here's my response in an Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Aviator. First, I'd reinstate the rear door sunshades. They belong in a luxury vehicle. Why are you decontenting an $80,000 car, anyway? Second, I'd introduce the 2026 American spec Aviator based on the 2025 Chinese model (sitting in an American '25 is little different than sitting in a '20). PLEASE do this for your fellow Americans. You are after all, an American company.

While my Aviator was in for service recently, they gave me 2025 Nautilus loaner. I loved the way it drove but that beautiful panoramic screen was quite distracting for me while I was driving (I’m 5’5”). Maybe it’s not an issue for a taller person whose line of sight is higher up than mine. The nautilus’ cargo space would def not work for me. Way too small if you’re carrying luggage, golf bags, beach chairs or other gear frequently. And, we also really like the aviator’s 6 passenger seating for the few times/yr we need to use it.

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[Silverskates]

Welcome to the Forum.
There is also a big difference under that hood. The Aviator's 3.0L produces 400 HP with 415 Torque using 93 octane.
As for bringing the Chinese spec'd Aviator to North America, that won't happen. Some of its features may, however, be incorporated into our vehicles. With both the Nautilus and Navigator having the wide-screen setup, it may be added to the Aviator as well. I believe the 2025 model began production in May 2024 so the 2026 dates should be available in the next few months.

Peter

Chuckle… you ain’t kidding about the Aviator’s horsepower! I got a speeding ticket in mine on my 1st long highway trip. They don’t call it an Aviator for nothing

 

[Robert M]

Allow me to esplain... no.. there is too much. Let me sum up.

1. The new China built Nautalis is way over computerized. I drove one and the screens kept going out. Also, you can't adjust your vents any more. I kid you not, they are run by the computer.
2. I have a 25 Aviator Reserve II and it has sun shades. Are you sure they are not there?
3. The 25 Aviator isnt made in china, doesnt have a 27" panoramic screen, nor flat bottom wheels.

I hate to ask, but would you by any chance have 6 fingers on your right hand?

Ford Motor Company stopped producing vehicle brochures for the American market in June 2022, but there have been some released in other countries since then. Below is a link to the 2024 Aviator brochure for the Chinese market, followed by two YouTube videos. One is 5:03 in length, the other a mere 33 seconds. Check them out.

https://autocatalogarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Lincoln-Aviator-2024-CN.pdf

Unveiled in China | Land Plane | New Lincoln Aviator 3.0T SUV 2025

2024 Lincoln Aviator Corsair! #shorts

 

[Robert M]

Allow me to esplain... no.. there is too much. Let me sum up.

1. The new China built Nautalis is way over computerized. I drove one and the screens kept going out. Also, you can't adjust your vents any more. I kid you not, they are run by the computer.
2. I have a 25 Aviator Reserve II and it has sun shades. Are you sure they are not there?
3. The 25 Aviator isnt made in china, doesnt have a 27" panoramic screen, nor flat bottom wheels.

I hate to ask, but would you by any chance have 6 fingers on your right hand?

The China market Aviator actually is made in Hangzhou China by Changan Ford, which is Ford Motor Company's Chinese joint venture.
The China market Corsair is made in Chongqing China, also by Changan Ford.
The China market and North American market Nautiluses are made in Hangzhou China.
The China market and North American market Navigators are made in Louisville.

China has become an important market for Lincoln. Although the Navigator is built in the U.S., Navigator Chief Engineer Scott Grandinett has said part of the reason for the '25 Nav's split gate is that Chinese luxury car buyers are going crazy for the outdoors, and there's no better view at the end of a long day than sitting at the tailgate looking over nature's bounty.

The China market 2024 and '25 Corsair have the same steering wheel and panoramic screen as does the new Aviator. As I said in my initial post this week, "WOW."

 

[G-440063]

Is this post still active? Suggest for first post to have list of suggestions for focus and reduce duplicates.

Things I’d like to see in an aviator that my ‘22 BL doesn’t have:
-passenger seat memory
-center console control for passenger memory seat, adjust rear heated+ventilated seats function and 3rd row fold up/down
-rearview mirror camera
-rear entertainment controls from front center console
-vehicle height adjustment controls on the fly (passenger entry ease especially for elderly or shorties)
-lights on sides or nightvision for backing up at night (can’t see a thing on sides at night with cameras)
-garage opener buttons moved from sunshade
-cameras as dashcam, memory stick slot for videos, lincolway app able to view cameras on demand
-better tires from factory, too much road noise with OEM. That loud even with air suspension is disappointing and embarrassing

Most of these stems from providing a luxury experience for passengers. Allowing driver to adjust and cater to passengers to give them greatest comfort and convenience from the driver seat.

Test drove a 2025 Aviator, with 21" tires. Way too noisy of a car compared to my Lexus RX350 with 18" wheels! If on the 2026 Aviator, 20" wheels are not offered on the reserve trim, hello Lexus.

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[peterk9]

Test drove a 2025 Aviator, with 21" tires. Way too noisy of a car compared to my Lexus RX350 with 18" wheels! If on the 2026 Aviator, 20" wheels are not offered on the reserve trim, hello Lexus.

I have a 2025 Aviator Reserve and it came with 275/40R22 Goodyear Eagle Touring tires. I would have preferred 20" tires had I custom-ordered it.

Peter

 

[G-795608]

I have a 2022 and the windshield washer attached to the wiper set up is horrible

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2022 and the windshield washer attached to the wiper set up is horrible

I don't recall having any issues with my previous 2020, 2023 or my current 2025 which has the Visio Blade system.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

I'm frustrated with the speed recognition system in the 2025. It seems that the GPS system overrides the 'recognition' system. On a stretch of highway, the limit was increased to 110 kmph (approx 70 mph) a couple of years ago but when I have the cruise set at 110, every time it sees a 110 sign it automatically drops back to 100 kmph, the previous speed. From reading posts here, I'm not the only one dealing with this but for the most part it works fine.

Peter

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[JustDisGuy]

Two things I'd change:

1: I had a rear camera washer on my 2020 Ford Explorer. How does the 2025 Aviator NOT have such a useful advancement?!

2: The nanny-cam on top of the steering column. Bah humbug!! I occasionally like to drive with my arm positioned where the sensor is 'watching' me, so with LKA enabled, the system complains incessantly that I needs must WATCH THE ROAD. Get off it. Put the sensor somewhere I cannot inadvertently obstruct it, if it must be there at all.

 

[G-924036]

Another option would be the ability to scrap the massage seats, never use them and likely would be a bit more comfortable with the removal of the massage mechanisms particularly on the bottom seat. I'm 5' 11" and 170 so not a big guy and the bottom seat is a bit narrow with the way the side cushions push up even when fully deflated so if removing the mechanism could result in a slightly flatter bottom seat that would be a huge win.

AGREE.....seats are way too hard.

 

[peterk9]

Two things I'd change:

1: I had a rear camera washer on my 2020 Ford Explorer. How does the 2025 Aviator NOT have such a useful advancement?!

2: The nanny-cam on top of the steering column. Bah humbug!! I occasionally like to drive with my arm positioned where the sensor is 'watching' me, so with LKA enabled, the system complains incessantly that I needs must WATCH THE ROAD. Get off it. Put the sensor somewhere I cannot inadvertently obstruct it, if it must be there at all.

Welcome to the Forum.
I believe the rear camera washer was deleted on both the Explorer and Aviator sometime in 2022.

Peter

 

[breichert23]

I would like wireless carplay, slightly wider front seats and roof that is not so sloped, running boards as standard equipment and do away with that darn stop-start function. The stop-start function will only wear out the starter and battery prematurely.