Lincoln Aviator Third-Row Seating Review
The Lincoln Aviator’s third-row seating doesn’t measure up to some competitors, but its safety features and overall size make it a decent choice for families.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With 29.2 inches of legroom in its third row, the
Lincoln Aviator
offers rear passengers slightly less space than some competitors — but upscale luxury features, driver-assistance tech, and an optional hybrid powertrain still make it a solid pick.Anyone who needs to transport more than five people faces the difficulty of finding a vehicle that’s both big enough for everyone and has enough features to keep the driver comfortable. Buying a three-row SUV is a great way to get the space you need — but with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose?
If you’re thinking about buying a Lincoln Aviator for your family’s next vehicle, keep reading this useful guide from
super app
and car insurance
expert, Jerry
. We’ll go over how much legroom and headspace the Aviator offers and compare it to some other popular three-row luxury SUVs.What is the Lincoln Aviator’s 3rd row like?
The Lincoln Aviator is a midsize SUV that can seat up to seven passengers. Its third-row seating isn’t as spacious as some competitors, but it offers enough room for three young children to sit comfortably — making it a solid choice for large families.
While all five trims come with a third-row bench, the Aviator that can accommodate the most passengers is the Standard trim, thanks to its second-row bench that seats three passengers. The Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring trims all exchange the second-row bench for two plush captain’s chairs, bringing the seating capacity down to six.
Space and comfort
While a third row of seats is great for getting a large family from point A to point B, you’re probably wondering if those seats are actually comfortable enough for extended family vacations or road trips. Here’s what the
Lincoln Aviator
has to offer in terms of legroom, headroom, and passenger volume measurements:- Third row: 29.2 inches of legroom, 36.9 inches of headroom
- Second row: 39 inches of legroom, 38.4 inches of headroom
- First row: 43 inches of legroom, 40.2 inches of headroom
- Total passenger volume: 144.7 cubic feet
It only takes a quick glance at those numbers to see that the Aviator’s third row is going to feel a bit tight compared to its generous first and second rows. If you’re just looking to fit young children, having less space in the third row might not make much difference — but older teenagers or adults could be pretty uncomfortable on longer rides.
If you need more headroom and legroom for rear passengers, check out the table below to see how the Lincoln Aviator’s third row compares to similar vehicles.
Model | Starting price | Third row legroom | Third row headroom |
|---|---|---|---|
$52,975 | 29.2 inches | 36.9 inches | |
$58,695 | 29.2 inches | 35.9 inches | |
$61,595 | 31.2 inches | 34.9 inches | |
$46,995 | 23.5 inches | 34.8 inches | |
$57,200 | 34.6 inches | 36.9 inches | |
$67,440 | 26.5 inches | 34.6 inches | |
$51,995 | 31.9 inches | 36.3 inches |
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Is the Lincoln Aviator good for big families and long trips?
The Lincoln Aviator has a third row that offers comfortable seating for small children, but it might not be the best choice for long trips with teenagers or adults.
While the Aviator’s third-row seating is about average for its class, it’s still not enough space to allow taller people to ride comfortably for long periods of time — and you can get more third-row legroom at a similar price point by opting for either the Mercedes Benz GLE Class or the Volvo XC90 instead. However, if a three-row SUV with less rear passenger space works for your family, here are some standout features that make the Aviator a good choice:
- Excellent safety ratings and features: The 2022 Lincoln Aviator is a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick and earned a perfect five-star rating fromNHTSA. It also comes with Lincoln’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of driver-assistance technology to help motorists stay safe on the road.
- Optional hybrid powertrain:For families that want to save money on fuel — or save the environment—the eco-friendly Aviator Grand Touring is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that gets an impressive 56 mpg.
- Generous cargo space: The smaller third-row seat means that the Aviator still has room for plenty of cargo, offering 18 cubic feet of storage space with the rear bench in an upright position.
Of course, whether the Lincoln Aviator is the right three-row SUV for your family will depend on factors unique to you — like your preferences on seating and cargo space, price, and features.
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How to find affordable car insurance for your Lincoln Aviator
If the Lincoln Aviator falls a little short when it comes to third-row seating, its impressive safety features and cargo space can still make it the ideal vehicle for many families. But before you bring your new Aviator home, you’ll need to make sure to protect it with great
car insurance
.Did you know that by shopping for coverage with
Jerry
, you could save hundreds of dollars every year? All you need to do is answer a few questions, and the Jerry app will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute. When you find the coverage and rate that works with your budget, just give it a tap, and let Jerry take care of all the phone calls and paperwork needed to secure your new policy — we can even cancel your old coverage for you, too.On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on their car insurance.
“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. AfterJerryfound me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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