If you’re a fan of classic cars, you’re probably familiar with Lincoln’s massive cars. The 1961 Lincoln Continental is still considered one of the most iconic cars ever made. A highly customized Mark III was even the antagonist of the 70s horror flick The Car.

Today, the company still makes a few modern SUVs, like the Navigator and the Nautilus. The Aviator, which was discontinued in 2005, made a comeback this year. It’s a luxury midsize SUV with both gas-powered and hybrid powertrain options. Like most upscale vehicles, it also comes with plentiful technology features. Is Apple CarPlay included?

Infotainment specs

The new Lincoln Aviator offers standard smartphone connectivity for both iPhones and Android phones. CarPlay allows you to sync your phone with the car’s infotainment system. You can access your music, make hands-free calls, and set alarms for appointments and events.

Most drivers like to connect their smartphones to the infotainment system to make it easier to use. According to some reviewers, using CarPlay isn’t needed to enjoy the Lincoln’s SYNC 3 system. The controls are easy to learn and the 10-inch touchscreen is highly receptive to user inputs. There’s also a second-row touchscreen so that backseat passengers can control temperature and audio levels.

Other included features are four USB ports, a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-fi hotspot. Higher trims can have a 28-speaker audio system, more USB ports, a built-in navigation system, and HD radio.

Driver’s assistance features

Some of the most advanced safety features come standard on the Aviator. All trims have the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 technology suite. This system includes parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Other trims get even more features from this suite, like drowsiness monitoring and traffic sign recognition. A surround-view camera and even parallel-parking assist are also available on certain models. One uncommon feature found in higher trims is Phone As A Key. This allows you to start the car, lock it and unlock it, or open the tailgate directly through a smartphone app.

Convenience technology

The Lincoln Aviator’s interior is just as fancy as its outward appearance. Cushy synthetic leather seats are standard, which are heated and highly adjustable. Tri-zone climate control is also standard. With an available upgrade, the steering wheel and second-row seats can also be heated.

In pricier trims, you can have quad-zone climate control, a real leather interior, and a power liftgate. The Black Label model comes with handy driving features like regenerative braking and adaptive steering. This one also comes with massaging front seats. The most expensive trim comes with a mild-hybrid powertrain. Higher trims will also have a panoramic sunroof, heated windshield wipers, and a head-up display.

Should I buy the Aviator?

This SUV is available with either a twin-turbo V6 or a hybrid powertrain. The gas-operated motor puts out 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. In hybrid models, these numbers increase to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The automaker also promises that the Aviator has 18 miles of electric-only driving range.

The Aviator is decked out with a lot of cool technology, but this all comes with a high price tag. $50k is average for a luxury SUV, but the trim with the most features costs around $90k.

If you’re craving more luxury, the second-level trim is only $55k and comes with some of the fancier upgrades. However, the base trim already has enough technology to satisfy most drivers. Plus, unlike some luxury SUVs, you don’t have to pay extra to use Apple CarPlay.