What took the place of the Lincoln MKT?

The Lincoln Aviator effectively replaced the Lincoln MKT as Lincoln’s three-row SUV in the lineup, starting with the 2020 model year. The MKT was discontinued after 2019 as part of a lineup refresh, and the Aviator stepped in with a more modern design and features.

Context: The MKT era and its departure

The Lincoln MKT was introduced for the 2010 model year as a larger, three-row crossover aimed at delivering premium space and comfort. Despite its practical appeal, it faced limited demand in a shifting SUV market, prompting Lincoln to realign its product strategy in the late 2010s. In 2019 the MKT was discontinued, creating a gap in Lincoln’s offering for a premium three-row SUV.

The replacement in Lincoln’s lineup

To fill that gap, Lincoln revived the Aviator name as its main three-row SUV for the 2020 model year. The Aviator brings a more contemporary design, stronger performance options, and advanced technology to align with Lincoln’s renewed emphasis on luxury and user experience.

Before examining how the Aviator fit into the broader lineup, note that Lincoln also offers the Nautilus as a smaller two- or three-row option and the Navigator as the brand’s flagship large SUV. The Aviator is positioned between Nautilus and Navigator in size and price.

Key aspects of the Aviator’s role as MKT’s successor are summarized here:

Before listing the main points, this paragraph explains what the upcoming bullets will cover: the Aviator serves as Lincoln’s premium three-row SUV replacing the MKT, its size positioning, available powertrains, and its luxury features.



• The Lincoln Aviator serves as the premium three-row crossover replacing the MKT in Lincoln’s lineup (introduced for the 2020 model year).


• It sits between the Nautilus and Navigator in size, offering a blend of luxury, technology, and performance for family transport and daily use.


• Powertrain options include a strong twin-turbo V6 with available hybrid variants, delivering modern performance and efficiency.


• Interior comfort, driver-assistance features, and a focus on user experience are central to its appeal, aligning with Lincoln’s refreshed brand strategy.

In addition to the Aviator, Lincoln maintains the Nautilus as a more compact option and the Navigator as the largest, ensuring buyers have multiple three-row choices that fit different needs and budgets.

Timeline and lineup context

For context, the MKT’s production spanned roughly from its introduction in the early 2010s until its discontinuation after the 2019 model year. The Aviator, introduced for the 2020 model year, has continued with updates in subsequent years, reinforcing Lincoln’s shift toward modern, tech-forward SUVs rather than continuing the MKT platform.

The MKT’s niche after the change

With the MKT gone, Lincoln realigned its three-row offerings around the Aviator, Nautilus, and Navigator. The Aviator fulfills the premium three-row role, the Nautilus handles the smaller end of the spectrum, and the Navigator remains the top-tier flagship with maximum space and luxury.

Summary

The Lincoln MKT was retired as part of Lincoln’s lineup refresh, and its niche was filled by the Aviator as the brand’s new premium three-row SUV for the 2020 model year and beyond. The Aviator sits between the Nautilus and Navigator in size, offers modern powertrains including available hybrids, and emphasizes luxury technology to carry Lincoln’s SUV lineup forward.

What is the Ford version of the Lincoln MKT?

Ford Flex
While sharing no common body panels, the Lincoln MKT is mechanically related to the Ford Flex and the fifth-generation Ford Explorer (though the Explorer remains marketed as an SUV and retains a greater degree of off-road driving capability).

How much is the 2025 Lincoln SUV?

The starting price for a 2025 Lincoln SUV varies by model, with the 2025 Corsair starting at approximately $39,485, the 2025 Nautilus starting at roughly $55,535, and the 2025 Navigator starting at around $99,995. The 2025 Aviator also has a starting price, but it was listed as $58,930 in some sources, while others show 2024 pricing. 

• Lincoln Corsair: Starts at about $39,485. 
• Lincoln Nautilus: Starts at approximately $55,535, with higher trims like the Black Label starting at about $78,725. 
• Lincoln Aviator: Starting prices vary between sources, with one listing the 2025 model at $58,930 and another listing the 2024 model at $44,364. 
• Lincoln Navigator: The 2025 model has a starting price of about $99,995, with the range-topping Black Label model starting at approximately $116,995 or higher. 

What happened to the Lincoln MKT?

The Lincoln MKT was discontinued after the 2019 model year because of slow sales, and it was not directly replaced in the Lincoln lineup. Lincoln shifted its focus to other SUVs like the Aviator and Corsair. Although production ended, the MKT continued to be sold to fleet and livery companies for a period to avoid devaluing the new Aviator with fleet discounts.
 
This video discusses the history of the Lincoln MK series, including the discontinuation of the MKT: 56sMy Old CarYouTube · Oct 18, 2025
Reason for discontinuation

• Slow sales: The MKT had low sales throughout its production run, and it was Lincoln's slowest-selling model for a time. 
• Shift in brand focus: Lincoln was moving away from vehicles like the MKT to focus on new SUVs and crossovers, such as the Aviator and Corsair. 
• Platform change: The MKT was built on the Ford D3/D4 platform, and Ford discontinued this platform after 2019, which also ended production of its Ford counterpart, the Flex. 

What happened to the MKT

• End of production: The last Lincoln MKT was built in 2019. 
• No direct replacement: Lincoln did not introduce a new model to fill the exact same spot in its lineup. 
• Fleet sales: For a period after production stopped, the remaining MKTs were sold to livery and fleet customers, as Lincoln did not want to offer large fleet discounts on its newer, high-end vehicles like the Aviator. 

This video explains why the Lincoln MKT was misunderstood and how it compares to the Ford Flex: 56sAntique TAGSYouTube · May 21, 2025

What car replaced the Lincoln MKT?

The news is true: the Lincoln Aviator is taking over where the Lincoln MKT left off, helping provide drivers with an unparalleled driving experience that is luxurious, comfortable, and reliable.