Text by Tom Appel
2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize crossover
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Cenote Green
Miles driven: 217
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | C |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 400-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Observed fuel economy: 18.4 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/25/20 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $85,380 (not including $1695 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($2000), Connectivity Package ($400), rear console ($480), Black Label “Invitation” cabin theme (no cost)
Price as tested: $89,955
Audio-System Brand
Revel
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Extremely refined on the move, classy cabin, outstanding audio system
The good: Plenty of passenger and cargo space, lots of power
The not so good: Black Label trim level prohibitively expensive
Review
For premium automakers doing business in the U.S., it is de rigueur to market sporty sub-brands targeting customers looking for a performance upgrade to the usual luxury fair. Here’s a quick look at a few luxury brands and their available racy lines:
- BMW: M Performance
- Cadillac: V Series
- Genesis: Magma (coming soon)
- Lexus: F, and F-sport
- Mercedes-Benz: AMG
Performance Sub-Brands
It’s Interesting that Lexus bothers with performance variants, as no Lexus crossover every built actually qualifies as sporty. That said, the F-series Lexus models we’ve driven look the part, and certainly retain their famous ride control and cabin quietness.
Lincoln Lineup
Missing from the list is Lincoln. Ford’s long-time luxury division is down to just four offerings for the 2026 model year, and not one of them is offered in anything approaching sporty trim. Here’s what you’ll find this year at a Lincoln store:
- Corsair: Compact crossover
- Nautilus: Midsize 2-row crossover
- Aviator: Midsize 3-row crossover
- Navigator: Full-size truck-based 3-row SUV
Black Label
While we applaud Lincoln’s commitment to building only refined luxury crossovers and SUVs, we need to discuss the brand’s hyper-luxury trim level: Black Label. Offered on all but the Corsair, Black Label differs from many top trim levels in that much of the content included in the upgrade comes in the form of services instead of equipment.
As part of the costly upgrade to Black Label trim on the 2026 Aviator—which are about to discuss at length–the following options and equipment become standard:
- Unique interior themes
- Heated and ventilated 2nd-row seats
- 30-way adjustable front seats
- Revel-brand 28-speaker audio system
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Unique grille and exterior trim elements
- Illumination Package with LED lighting and unique taillight treatment
- Available Jet Appearance Package with black-out exterior trim
- Soft-close doors
- Standard AWD
Also included as part of the Black Label trim level:
- Premium Maintenance Plan, including up to four free service visits
- Pickup and delivery service
- Complimentary “anytime” car washes
- Annual vehicle detailing
- Dedicated concierge and personalized support
- Roadside assistance for life
Aviator Prices and Trim Levels
For 2026, Black Label caps a three trim-level menu of Aviator models:
- Premiere ($58,605)
- Reserve ($68,425)
- Black Label ($87,075)
Today we’ll attempt to answer two question we suspect serious Aviator shoppers are asking themselves right now: Is the Aviator a good crossover? (spoiler alert, it is), and Is the Black Label trim level worth an extra $20,000 over the already nicely equipped Reserve? (tough one)
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Aviator Black Label in extra-cost Cenote Green. All told, including destination charge, our test car clocked in at $89,955.
Interior Décor
Currently available for the Aviator Black Label—and exclusively the Black label—are three cabin décor packages: Invitation, Flight, and Moonbeam. That said, only the Invitation and Moonbeam options were available on our test car, this as—we assume—the Flight décor was determined to clash with the Cenote exterior.
Whomever ordered our test car opted for the Invitation package, a handsome black/gray layout with contrasting seat-side red stitching. In Lincoln speak the package includes:
-
2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label in Cenote Green Appliqués–Khaya Invitation with Laser Motif
- Leather-Wrapped Interior–Ebony
- Specialty Leather Seats–Savannah Leather Seating Surfaces with Pergola Perforation Inserts
- Headliner–Ebony
- Floor Carpet and Mats–Black
All the said, we found the cabin handsome and decidedly upscale. The red/burnt-wood accents are crazy classy, and breakup what would otherwise be a somewhat somber environment. Frankly, we love the look. In fact, modern crossover interiors really don’t come much nicer, regardless of how much the vehicle costs.
Control Layout
The control layout is relatively uncomplicated for a luxury vehicle, with real physical switchgear for climate functions. The center console extends off the dashboard via a sort of “bridge,” which allows footwell space beneath it for a purse of backpack. Gear selection comes by way of “piano key” switches on the console. Though this may sound unconventional, drivers report acclimating to the arrangement quickly and easily.
Room and Comfort
There is plenty of adult space in both seating rows, and easy access to the cabin via large door openings.
Ride and Handling
Underway the cabin remains quiet, and ride quality top-notch–in a firmish European way. Though not spongy, the Aviator chassis absorbs almost all but the most extreme road imperfections with ease. Handling is a mixed bag. We would describe the Lincoln’s moves as competent, though they fall comfortably short of sporty. As for cabin quietness, we feel inclined to point out that the available Revel-brand audio system is among the finest sound systems currently available in a mainstream luxury vehicle. Be sure to sample the stereo on your test drive.
Power and Performance
The same can be said for the powertrain. All Aviators are powered by a smooth and refined 400-horsepower turbocharged V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite the vehicles generally tranquil demeanor, and quick stab of the accelerator pedal returns immediate forward thrust and plenty of merging and passing power.
The beefy engine feels and sounds refined in action, and even returns decent fuel economy. In extremely cold weather—which included gas-wasting warm-up and idle time—we observed better than 18 mpg, decent given the ambient conditions and available power.
Exterior Design
And while we generally don’t comment on exterior design, we do find the Aviator—as well as the Nautilus and Navigator—to be commendably sleek and clean in profile. We also appreciate the brand-common look and feel of the Lincoln lineup,
Value
For 3-row crossover shoppers interested primarily in comfort-and-design, we heartily suggest taking the Aviator for a test drive. Consider, too, the Lexus TX, which is arguably quieter than the aviator, though not quite as nicely finished inside.
As for going with the Black Label trim level, we’re a little hesitant to recommend the additional cash outlay for a number of features which may mean little after a while, and will not bring much value at trade-in time. That said, we are very impressed by the Black Label exclusive cabin décor.
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2026 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
2025 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label: Review, Prices, and Specs
