Summer is the season of open roads, coastal highways, and mountain escapes — and if you’re planning your next big adventure, your vehicle matters just as much as your destination. For Los Angeles families and road-trip enthusiasts looking for the best SUV for road trips, the Lincoln Aviator delivers a rare combination of third-row versatility, whisper-quiet luxury, and effortless long-distance capability.
Built for the Long Haul
The Lincoln Aviator is engineered for exactly the kind of driving Southern California summers demand. Whether you’re heading up the Pacific Coast Highway, cutting through Joshua Tree, or making the long push toward Las Vegas, the Aviator’s twin-turbocharged V6 — available in a Grand Touring plug-in hybrid configuration — delivers responsive power without sacrificing ride comfort. An available air suspension automatically adapts to changing road conditions, ensuring passengers stay relaxed mile after mile.
Three Rows, Zero Compromises
Traveling with the whole family? The Aviator’s standard three-row seating accommodates up to six passengers in genuine Lincoln comfort. The second row slides and folds with a single touch, making access to the third row seamless — a feature that parents hauling gear, beach bags, and road-trip snacks will genuinely appreciate.
Cargo space behind the third row is generous, and with all rear seats folded, you gain over 80 cubic feet of storage. Pack it all: the coolers, the luggage, the stroller, the surfboards — the Aviator handles it without complaint.
Technology That Keeps the Drive Moving
Road trips mean long stretches of highway, and Lincoln has loaded the Aviator with tech to keep everyone entertained and the driver focused. The available rear-seat entertainment system turns back-row passengers into happy campers, while SYNC 4 with a 13.2-inch touchscreen keeps navigation, music, and communication exactly where the driver needs it.
Lincoln Co-Pilot360+ adds a suite of advanced driver-assist features — adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering, and enhanced active braking — that make highway miles feel notably less fatiguing. It’s as close to effortless freeway driving as it gets.
The Quiet Cabin Advantage
One of the Aviator’s most underappreciated qualities is how remarkably quiet the cabin is at highway speeds. Active Noise Control works alongside acoustic laminated glass to absorb road and wind noise, creating an environment where you can hold a normal conversation or enjoy the Revel Ultima 3D audio system at truly spectacular quality. On a 400-mile day, that silence is worth its weight in gold.
Navigator vs. Aviator: Which Makes the Better Road Trip Rig?
Wondering if you should step up to the three-row Lincoln Navigator? For most families, the Aviator strikes the ideal balance — it’s more maneuverable in tight urban parking, slightly more fuel-efficient on the highway, and still offers every premium feature you’d find in the Navigator. Compare the two on our 2025 Lincoln Navigator vs. Aviator page.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Explore our current inventory of new Lincoln Aviators for sale near Los Angeles. Galpin Lincoln, serving Van Nuys and the greater LA area, offers one of the region’s most complete Aviator selections — with multiple trim levels, color combinations, and Grand Touring hybrid units in stock. Visit our team or build and customize your order online.
Summer only comes once a year. Make sure your vehicle is ready for every mile.