Road Tested 2025 Aviator To See If It Rides Better Than My Navigator

[Tahoe Dave]

Some time ago I started a thread about my displeasure regarding the rough ride of our 2023 Navigator Reserve. Many may have seen my subsequent thread that reported on how the ride was not improved by my installing a set of 20" tires and wheels. Well, here is the latest and the LAST report I have regarding this threads title. I brought my Navigator in for software updates and they gave me a 2025 Aviator to "try out" for ride quality. Aside from the fact that it rode worse, I was appalled at the overall lack of quality! Dash board rattles, not anywhere near as comfortable and it just felt "cheap".

After returning the Aviator, while on the way home, I had a conversation with my Navigator which consisted of my humbly apologizing for being too damn critical. I now have a renewed appreciation for the Navigator and will move on to my next obsessive campaign!

 

[dlcorbett]

Wow the aviator was worse riding than the navigator? What trim was the aviator? Did it have the air suspension or base suspension? On the aviator forums, a lot of ppl with the air suspension and 21in wheels complained of the ride, but the air suspension with 20in wheels or base suspension have gotten nothing but praise. The my25 aviator is the refreshed version, maybe they stiffened the ride too much. But good to hear that your nav actually at its worse is still better than another lincoln product.

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Wow the aviator was worse riding than the navigator? What trim was the aviator? Did it have the air suspension or base suspension? On the aviator forums, a lot of ppl with the air suspension and 21in wheels complained of the ride, but the air suspension with 20in wheels or base suspension have gotten nothing but praise. The my25 aviator is the refreshed version, maybe they stiffened the ride too much. But good to hear that your nav actually at its worse is still better than another lincoln product.

It was the Reserve and had 22" tires. I am not sure if it had the air suspension.

 

[APL Rep]

Air suspension is standard on 25s. Me thinks you're picky. Weren't you the one saying your bmw had a better ride than your Navi?

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[Tahoe Dave]

Air suspension is standard on 25s. Me thinks you're picky. Weren't you the one saying your bmw had a better ride than your Navi?

All my cars; Aston Martin, BMW and damn near a 66 Corvette ride better over rough roads. On the highway, the Navigator has a great ride and we've enjoyed that on medium range trips. I can rightfully be accused of being "picky" however, there are quite a few owners that share my disappointment in a $115K vehicle having a piss-poor ride. This is Ford Motor Company's flagship vehicle and we all know that it is routinely compared to the Escalade and other "flagship" brands. For the life of me, why wouldn't they put a little more thought into ride quality?

 

[Zegap81]

All my cars; Aston Martin, BMW and damn near a 66 Corvette ride better over rough roads. On the highway, the Navigator has a great ride and we've enjoyed that on medium range trips. I can rightfully be accused of being "picky" however, there are quite a few owners that share my disappointment in a $115K vehicle having a piss-poor ride. This is Ford Motor Company's flagship vehicle and we all know that it is routinely compared to the Escalade and other "flagship" brands. For the life of me, why wouldn't they put a little more thought into ride quality?

Why not just get something else ? An Escalade, Land Rover, etc it’s not like your married to the thing !

 

[Tahoe Dave]

Why not just get something else ? An Escalade, Land Rover, etc it’s not like your married to the thing !

Traditionally we owned Land Rovers and my thought was to give the Navigator a try. This was influenced by all of the very positive online reviews and YouTube road test, which included high marks regarding "ride quality". In fairness, we love the lines, comfortable message seats, outstanding sound system and abundant storage space. We do not drive it often and as previously stated "I'm over it..." However, it was interesting to see that when I brought about this issue there was quite a few that voiced their disappointment in how they ride. I wish it rode better, as I really like the interior of the 2025. If not, I'll probably go back to the Range Rover or perhaps an X7, if they change the body style.

 

[Zegap81]

Traditionally we owned Land Rovers and my thought was to give the Navigator a try. This was influenced by all of the very positive online reviews and YouTube road test, which included high marks regarding "ride quality". In fairness, we love the lines, comfortable message seats, outstanding sound system and abundant storage space. We do not drive it often and as previously stated "I'm over it..." However, it was interesting to see that when I brought about this issue there was quite a few that voiced their disappointment in how they ride. I wish it rode better, as I really like the interior of the 2025. If not, I'll probably go back to the Range Rover or perhaps an X7, if they change the body style.

I mean I have a 2018 reserve loaded which I built. I have had a lot of issues with it. It still only has 46,000 miles on it. With that being said I want a long wheel base luxury vehicle. I need the trunk space for kids and their sports. Now to be fair lincoln fixed a lot of the issues with the extended warranty. Now I did put an order for a 2025 black label and honestly if I don’t like it I will get rid of it for an Escalade. The only reason I am trying the new 2025 is cause I bumped into a neighbor who has a 2024 Escalade sport platinum and it’s been nothing but a nightmare. Like worse things like breaking down on the side of the road twice! On further research I found out a lot of Escalade owners have been having issues with their engines. To be honest for us we like the styling and interior of the navigator better as well. But the truth of it is, I have owned 3 Mercedes, 1 Audi, and a Land Rover. If I could get any one of them with a large trunk (ie long wheel base) like the Escalade or Navigator I would be gone. The quality and mechanical design of American made cars is shit.

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