Lincoln Aviator First generation
Lincoln Aviator (First generation) was built from 2002 to 2005. Powertrain: 4.6 L Modular V8 (gasoline). Size: 4,910 x 1,877 x 1,826 mm (L x W x H).
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: IFCAR, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
The Aviator was launched for the 2003 model year with three-row six-passenger seating configuration and optional second row bucket seats with center console or second-row bench seating (at no cost). Along with the choice of four-wheel drive (4WD) configuration and towing packages, the Aviator was offered with optional heated/cooled front bucket seats, xenon (HID) headlights, 17-inch chrome wheels, and a DVD-based navigation system. These options were late availability in 2003 on the premium model and 2004 (Ultimate), 2005 (Elite). The Aviator was equipped with dual front/side airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability and traction control.
Chassis
Sharing its chassis with the third-generation Explorer, the Aviator is derived from the body-on-frame Ford U1 platform. Sharing its 113.7 in wheelbase with the Explorer/Mountaineer, the Aviator is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension.
Powertrain
In place of the SOHC two-valve version of the 4.6 L Modular V8 shared with the Explorer/Mountaineer and other Ford trucks, the Aviator was fitted with the DOHC four-valve version of the engine, shared with the Mustang Mach 1 and Marauder.
Trim
At its 2002 launch, the Aviator was offered in Luxury base trim and Premium trim level. For 2004, the Premium trim was renamed Ultimate. For 2005, the Luxury trim became the sole offering, with previous content remaining available as stand-alone options, including a rear-seat DVD player. An Elite option package was offered, which bundled all features of the Premium/Ultimate trims; the package offered a DVD-based navigation system.
Marketing and reception
Lincoln played up the similarity to the Navigator full-size SUV with magazine ads that read, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Especially when it's yourself you're imitating." The Aviator was met with relatively positive press coverage.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
- Fuel use (combined)13 mpg = 18.1 L/100 kmEPA fueleconomy.gov, model year 2005, median of 2 listed variants (13 to 13 mpg)
- Fuel cost per 100 km27.1518.1 L x your fuel price
- Fuel cost per 10,000 km2715consumption x distance x your fuel price
Costs are in your own currency: they use the prices you enter above.
Check before you buy
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in Canada, United Kingdom. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Aviator
- Second generation · 6, 2019-present
More from Lincoln · all Lincoln models
- Navigator (Fifth generation) · 2025 - present
Can I import a Lincoln Aviator (First generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Lincoln Aviator (First generation) is inside the age window for Canada, United Kingdom. The earliest examples become eligible later in: United States (2027); Australia (2027). Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Lincoln Aviator (First generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 4.6 L Modular V8 (gasoline).
How big is the Lincoln Aviator (First generation)?
4,910 mm long and 1,877 mm wide and 1,826 mm tall. For container loading, use the container packer.
How much fuel does the Lincoln Aviator (First generation) use?
The US EPA lists a combined 13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km) for model year 2005, the median of 2 listed variants. Your own figure depends on driving and condition.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- fueleconomy.gov (EPA) (2005)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
- Complete guide · 12 minHow to Import a Used Luxury Car from Japan: Auction Grades, Paperwork and Country Rules (2026)How to import a used luxury car from Japan: what an auction grade means, how to check mileage and history, which export papers Japan asks for, and the age rules in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Kenya.
- General import guide · 9 minHow Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Japan? (2026)Shipping is only part of it. The real cost of importing a car from Japan stacks purchase, freight, duty, fees, and US-side costs. Here's the full breakdown for 2026, with a worked example.
- General import guide · 9 minThe 25-Year Import Rule, Explained (2026)The 25-year rule is the single most important law in car importing — and the most misunderstood. Here's how it actually works, by month of manufacture, with the EPA and NHTSA thresholds untangled.
- General import guide · 8 min7 Common Car Import Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Most import horror stories come down to a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here are the seven that cost first-time importers the most money and stress — and exactly how to avoid each one.
- General import guide · 8 minHow to Check a Used Car's History Before ImportingA clean photo and a low mileage number prove nothing on their own. Here's how to verify a Japanese car's real history — mileage, accidents, grade — before you commit a single yen.
- General import guide · 7 minContainer vs RoRo Shipping: Which to ChooseRoRo is cheaper; container is safer. The choice between the two main ways to ship a car from Japan comes down to your car's value and what you're willing to risk. Here's how to decide.
