The Lincoln Aviator is a mid-size luxury SUV with three-row seating marketed and sold by the Lincoln brand of Ford Motor Company. One of four SUVs offered by Lincoln, the Aviator is currently in its second generation, slotted between the Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Navigator in size. The first generation of the Aviator was produced from the 2003 to 2005 model years as a rebadged version of the Mercury Mountaineer (itself based on the Ford Explorer); following the Lincoln Versailles and Lincoln Blackwood pickup truck, the Aviator was one of the shortest-produced vehicles ever sold by Lincoln. For the 2007 model year, Lincoln expanded its use of crossover SUVs; the five-passenger MKX offered a similar exterior footprint, while the MKT (introduced in 2009) offered the three-row seating of the Aviator. For the 2020 model year, the Aviator made its return to the Lincoln model line (again based on the Ford Explorer). For the first time in a Lincoln-brand vehicle, the Aviator is offered as a plug-in hybrid, along with Android Auto. The first-generation Aviator was assembled at the now-closed St. Louis Assembly in Hazelwood, Missouri, alongside the Explorer and Mountaineer. The second-generation Aviator is assembled at Chicago Assembly in Chicago, Illinois alongside the Explorer and the Ford Police Interceptor Utility. First generation (UN152; 2003) The Aviator was launched for the 2003 model year, slotted below the Navigator. As with the Explorer and Mountaineer, a three-row seating configuration was standard; in contrast to the Explorer and Mountaineer, a six-passenger configuration was standard, with bucket seats and a center console in the second row (a second-row bench seat was available as a no-cost option). Alongside the choice of four-wheel drive (4WD) configuration and towing packages, the Aviator was offered with relatively few options. In addition to all the standard features, options included 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). Shared with the Mountaineer, the Aviator was equipped with dual front/side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and 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 wheelbase with the Explorer/Mountaineer, the Aviator is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension. A standard towing package was fitted to all 4WD Aviators with a heavy-duty towing package optional on either