Our Aviator was outfitted in two-tone leather, a cream (light parchment) complemented with charcoal gray (espresso), with American walnut burl wood trim. The interior also comes in a two-tone medium and dark ash.

The most distinctive touch on the interior is the pewter-colored satin nickel finish used on the center dashboard and shifter surround. Another distinguishing element is a door, in the same satin nickel finish, that pulls down to hide the audio system. You won't forget what you are driving when you close the door as its cover spells out L-I-N-C-O-L-N. Also on the center dash, the clock, with delicate gold hands and numbers, resembles an expensive watch. The clock is becoming a signature feature in Lincolns.

Aviator's interior designers said the 1961 Continental inspired the symmetrical instrument panel. Switches and controls, either rectangular toggles or rotary dials, are backlit with white LED lighting. The wood and leather trimmed steering wheel includes controls for the audio and climate controls. Every surface throughout the Aviator is not only attractive to the eye but also inviting to the touch.

Aviator comes standard with three rows of seats. The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive.

In the second row, Aviator buyers have a choice, for which there is no difference in price. They can select a three-way split bench seat that seats three or bucket seats that seat two. The bucket seats feature a hefty center console nearly identical to the one that sits between the front bucket seats. Either way, the second-row seats fold and tumble forward for access to the third row.

The third-row bench sits low and is most suitable for children. The third seat folds flat into the floor manually, not by power as is available in the Navigator. Nor does the Aviator offer a power liftgate, as the Navigator does. Instead, it is a two-piece design like on the Explorer and Mountaineer with a flip-up window positioned at the height of a shopping cart for loading of groceries without lifting the entire hatch.