2020 Lincoln Aviator Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Vehicle shopping today is all about striking a balance between fuel economy, space, performance, and features. For many people, a midsize three-row SUV is the right choice. They tend to be large enough for many families while also not being complete gas-guzzlers.

Lincoln has brought back the Aviator name. This year technically kicks off the second generation of this vehicle, with the first generation existing briefly in the early 2000s. The new 2020 Lincoln Aviator is a major step up. It is based on the Ford Explorer but adds many sophisticated touches.

When looking into an Aviator, drivers will have five different trim levels to consider. All qualify as luxury vehicles, with each step up the trim level adding more and more to love. Since these SUVs are quite pricey, and going up to the next trim can add over ten thousand dollars, it is important to know which version has all of the features a consumer is after. This helps to prevent both overspending and buyer's remorse.

To simplify things, this guide thoroughly summarizes the differences between the trim levels. The ultimate goal is to inform drivers why they may want to choose one model over the others.

Compare the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Standard vs Reserve Trims. What is the difference?

The first model that consumers must consider is simply known as the Standard. Like most models, it is designed to seat up to seven people. This trim comes with rear-wheel-drive but has the option of being upgraded to intelligent all-wheel-drive as well.

Powering the Standard is a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine that will produce 400-horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This is paired nicely with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The engine has automatic start-and-stop technology in order to help boost fuel economy. Drivers get the auto-hold feature that Lincoln is so fond of. With this, a driver can let their foot off the brake pedal once the Aviator is at a full stop. It will not move forward until the driver taps the accelerator.

This version of the 2020 Aviator sits on 19-inch wheel with dark tarnish accent paint. In the back, there are quad tips for the dual exhaust system. The Aviator has an eye-catching chrome upper mesh grille and comes standard with Lincoln signature lighting. Speaking of lighting, this SUV has full LED headlights with an autolamp feature. Automatic high beams are also standard.

For convenience, this SUV has a power liftgate. The side mirrors are heated, powered, and feature turn signal integration. They also have a memory and auto-dimming feature for the driver's side.

When moving inside the Aviator, drivers will likely notice the frameless rearview mirror right away. This mirror also has an auto-dimming feature. Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard and a heated steering wheel is optional. Heated front seats are standard and heat for the second-row can be added. Drivers can even add heat to their windshield wipers if they'd like.

The front seats are designed for comfort. For the driver and front passenger, there is ten-way power-adjustment and power lumbar adjustment. The driver's seat also has memory settings. In the second row, consumers will find a 35/30/35 split-folding bench seat that has a power tip-and-slide release feature. The third row has a 50-50 split and can be power-folded as well.

A 10.1-inch touchscreen runs the infotainment, which is the popular Sync 3 system. Standard on this trim are all of the tech features a consumer can want. They include a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. There are four USB ports located throughout the cabin. For music, drivers get a ten-speaker premium stereo system that includes a subwoofer.

There are plenty of advanced safety features to be had on the entry-level Aviator. All models get a lane keeping system as well as post-collision braking. They also get rain-sensing windshield wipers and a rearview camera with a built-in washer. Finally, this trim has blind spot monitoring complete with rear cross traffic.

The next trim level is known as the Reserve. It has the same engine and transmission combo as the Standard. Optional are some advanced mechanical features. Drivers can add adaptive steering, evasive steering assist, reverse brake assist, and an air glide suspension with dynamic lower entry.

On the outside, consumers will find 20-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels. They also have the option of going with 22-inch wheels. This trim level adds LED fog lamps and has the option of using adaptive Pixel LED headlamps. A hands-free liftgate is part of the standard equipment for the Reserve trim and above. Dynamic signature lighting becomes an option. Another option is what is known as the Lincoln Lit Star. This is essentially just an illuminated Lincoln logo located inside the front grille.

When consumers move inside, they will find ambient interior lighting. The climate control system gets upgraded to quad-zone. As for the steering column, it gains a power tilt-and telescoping feature. Optional comfort and convenience touches for this trim level include active noise control, a panoramic sunroof, and the "phone as a key" feature.

Tech-wise, consumers get the option of adding a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system gets upgraded to include voice-activated navigation. As for the sound, drivers now get a Revel sound system with 14-speakers and the ability to play HD radio. Optional for this trim is a Revel 3D audio system with a mind-blowing 28-speakers.

The seating surfaces get upgraded to leather here. For the front seats, there is now 12-way power adjustment. Second-row captain's chairs become standard but drivers can switch them out for the bench seat if they need room for seven. Ventilation for the first and second rows of seating is available.

A 360-degree camera is the only standard safety upgrade. Optional on this trim level is a head's up display, adaptive cruise control, and parking assist. This trim level has more available packages than any other. Consumers will find many of the optional features are lumped together in one or more of these packages.

The jump from the Standard to Reserve model costs five thousand dollars, something sure to make consumers think twice. At the same time, the Reserve adds a great deal of features.

Compare the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Reserve vs Grand Touring Trims.  What is the difference?

The first major difference with the Grand Touring model involves the engine. While it still uses the same V6 as previous models, it also adds a hybrid powertrain and regenerative braking. As a result, the Grand Touring produces 494-horsepower and a very impressive 630 lb-ft of torque. This trim level comes exclusively with all-wheel-drive. Adaptive steering also becomes standard.

For the wheels, the Grand Touring gets 20-inch ones with dark tarnish accent paint. This trim can upgrade to 21-inch wheels. Further setting this trim level apart is the unique dark smoke upper grille and body-color wheel lip and rocker moldings.

Inside, there are very few differences. The previously optional sunroof and active noise control are now standard on this trim. All-in-all, it is the appeal of the hybrid powertrain that will likely draw consumers to the Grand Touring trim level. Keep in mind that this trim adds over ten grand to the price tag.

Compare the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Ground Touring vs Black Label Trims. What is the difference?

The Black Label loses the hybrid powertrain. It does get evasive steering assist and reverse brake assist as part of its standard equipment list. Adaptive steering, however, returns to being merely optional. Once again, this trim is only available with all-wheel-drive.

Coming standard underneath the Black Label trim are 22-inch ultra-bright wheels. There are no other wheel options available. This trim stands out thanks to its unique upper grille that features black stringers and bright chrome jewels. The Pixel LED headlamps and dynamic signature lighting are included for this trim. This is the first trim level to include the Lincoln Lit Star as part of standard equipment.

Many previously optional features become standard when consumers choose the Black Label. It comes with the "phone as a key" feature, heated steering wheel, and heated windshield wiper blades. The wireless charging pad and head's up display are also included. Soft close doors, which were available on prior trims, are also now standard. The rear doors gain manual sunshades.

The 28-speaker sound system is standard in the Black Label trim. Heated and ventilated front and second-row seats are as well. The front seats gain 30-way adjustment with power thigh extenders plus a massage feature. As for the seating material, it is now perforated leather. Active park assist and adaptive cruise control are added as standard here.

If the features of the Black Label are appealing, consumers need to be prepared to pay over ten thousand more than they would for the Grand Touring. That said, this trim has many unique and highly desirable features. This may help to justify the high price tag.

Compare the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Black Label vs Grand Touring Black Label. What is the difference?

The fifth and final option is known as the Grand Touring Black Label. As consumers will likely guess, it combines the best features of the previous two trims into one package. This top-trim option gets the hybrid powertrain and extra horsepower back. The air glide suspension is now standard. Also standard is a "road preview" feature for the suspension. With this, the Aviator reads the road ahead and makes adjustments before ever reaching the bumps in the road. Adaptive steering comes back as a standard feature.

Drivers get 21-inch wheels and no other options for the Grand Touring Black Label trim. All-wheel-drive remains standard. Inside, seating is the same as with the Black Label. The only exception involves the second row, which cannot be replaced with a bench seat inside the Grand Touring Black Label. Yet again, this step up in the trim ladder costs over ten thousand dollars more. Is it worth it? Probably not, unless the consumer really wants an automatically lowering air suspension.

Which Trim to Choose?

Choosing the right model of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator is tricky due to how quickly the price tag climbs. The Standard model blows non-luxury SUVs out of the water but is not quite impressive enough to justify spending that kind of money. At the other end of the scale, the Black Label and Grand Touring Black Label have a lot of seemingly unnecessary features and cringe-worthy price tags.

The Reserve trim level is a decent choice. It adds quite a few features and has several packages available to help customize the Aviator. That said, most drivers will want to go with the middle-of-the-road Grand Touring. The extra horsepower produced by the hybrid engine is worth the additional money.

Consumers who elect to go with the Grand Touring model of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator will get a powerful vehicle with a long list of tech, safety, and comfort features.