Compare | St. Louis, MO
A plain way to choose between the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90 when you need three rows in West County.
If you live in Chesterfield, Frontenac, or Clayton and you need three rows with a luxury badge, the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90 end up on the same short list. Both are good SUVs. The better pick comes down to how each one fits your week, not a stack of figures.
We sell the Lincoln Aviator, so we'll say that up front. We've left numbers out on purpose because specs change by year and trim. Each dealer can give you the current ones for the exact vehicle.
Quick answer: The Lincoln Aviator leans toward a calm, comfort first cabin and a service relationship at a Lincoln dealer. The Volvo XC90 is a respected rival with its own loyal following. Who rides in the back and how you handle winter will decide it, so drive both on the same route.
Seats
Three rows in both
Our advice
Drive both, same day
Skip
The spec sheet
In this post
Which Is Better for Second and Third Row Use, the Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?
Start with the people, not the vehicle. Think about who rides in the back most days. If the third row is mostly kids on a carpool run, almost any three row SUV will do. If adults sit back there on longer trips, the shape of the seats and the way the second row moves matter a lot.
Climb into the third row of the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90 yourself, with the second row set where your family would leave it. See how easy it is to get in, how it feels after a few minutes, and whether car seats and boosters go in without a fight.

How Do the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 Handle St. Louis Winters?
Winter here means cold mornings and the occasional ice storm, plus slush on Clayton Road and Lindbergh. Both the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90 can come with different drivetrains, and what a given vehicle has depends on trim and availability.
St. Louis driver tip
If the forecast shows slush or a wet hill, book your test drive that day. A dry lot on a sunny afternoon tells you very little about how a vehicle brakes and turns when the road is slick.
Traction is only part of it. Tires matter just as much, and so does how confident the vehicle feels when you brake on a wet hill. Ask each dealer which drivetrain is on the exact vehicle you're looking at.
What About Cargo for School and Sports Gear?
Cargo is where your daily habits show up. Bring what you really carry, whether that's hockey bags, lacrosse sticks, a stroller, or a week of groceries. Load it into the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90 with the third row up, then again with it folded.
Look at the opening height, the shape of the space, and how easy it is to fold a seat without moving the car seat beside it. A cargo area that looks big in a photo can feel awkward in a school pickup line.
See the Lincoln AviatorLincoln Aviator Comparison
How Does the Cabin Feel in the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90?
Cabin feel is personal, and both take it seriously. The Volvo XC90 is known for clean, Scandinavian design. The Lincoln Aviator leans on quiet comfort and a relaxed, residential feel. Neither is wrong. The one you like is the one you'll enjoy on a long drive.
Sit in each for more than a few minutes. Notice the seat support, the road noise on I-64, how the controls and screens work for a first time user, and whether the cabin feels calm or busy.

What Does Ownership and Service Look Like for the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90?
A luxury SUV is a relationship that lasts years, so the service side matters. Ask each dealer how scheduling works, what loaner or ride options exist, and how they keep you posted during a repair. You can ask a Volvo dealer the same things about the Volvo XC90.
Owners of a Lincoln Aviator at Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Louis work with a team that sees Lincolns all day. Stop by the service department while you're here. The service experience is part of what you're buying.
How Should You Test Drive the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90?
Drive them back to back, on the same route, with the people who ride along most. Take in a stretch of highway, a parking lot, a hill, and a rough patch. Bring a car seat or your gear if that's part of your week.
Write down what you notice before anyone talks about price. We can set up a drive in the Lincoln Aviator, and we'd encourage you to visit a Volvo dealer for the Volvo XC90. A fair comparison makes for a better decision.
Lincoln Aviator
Fits you if
- You want a quiet, relaxed cabin for the daily drive
- You like the idea of Lincoln service close to home in Ballwin
- You'd rather judge the third row by sitting in it than reading about it
Volvo XC90
Fits you if
- You're drawn to clean Scandinavian design
- You like a model with a loyal following
- You're fine with service at a Volvo dealer
The Sinclair Promise
If you don't love your car within seven days or 500 miles, bring it back. No questions asked. It's how Dave Sinclair built this store, and it still stands.
Read the Sinclair PromiseQuestions Shoppers Ask About the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90
Are the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 direct competitors?
Yes. Both are three row luxury SUVs for households that want comfort and a premium badge, so plenty of shoppers cross shop the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90. Their personalities differ, which is why driving them side by side helps.
Is the Volvo XC90 a fair alternative to the Lincoln Aviator?
It is. The Volvo XC90 has a loyal following for good reason, and it deserves a real test drive. We'd rather you compare honestly and pick what suits your household than rush a decision.
Which three row luxury SUV is right for my household, the Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?
It comes down to who rides in the back, what you haul, how you handle winter, and which cabin you prefer after real time behind the wheel. Use the checklist in this guide and drive both on the same day.
Questions Shoppers Ask About Seating and Space
How should I judge the third row in the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90?
Sit back there with the second row set where your family would leave it. Check how you get in, how the seat feels after a few minutes, and whether anyone can reach the buckles.
Can car seats fit easily in the Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?
Bring your own seats to the test drive and install them. Anchor placement and second row space vary, and putting a seat in yourself tells you more than reading about it.
Will the Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90 handle a carpool?
That depends on how easily kids can reach the third row and buckle themselves in. Have a child try it during your visit. A tall step or a narrow gap turns into a daily annoyance.
Questions Shoppers Ask About Winter and Daily Driving
Should I prioritize all wheel drive in a Lincoln Aviator or a Volvo XC90?
If winter confidence matters to your household, ask for it. Availability changes by trim and drivetrain, so confirm what's on the exact vehicle in front of you instead of assuming.
Do winter tires help a Lincoln Aviator or a Volvo XC90?
They can, since tires are the part of the vehicle that touches the road. Plenty of families around St. Louis do fine on good all season tires, but a winter set adds confidence if you drive hills often.
Is either the Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90 easy to park in West County?
Both are large, so test them where you park. Try a tight spot at a Chesterfield shopping center, then your own garage, and see how much the cameras and sensors help.
Questions Shoppers Ask About Comfort and Ownership
How can I compare cabin quiet in the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90?
Drive both on the same stretch of I-64 with the audio off and the climate set the same way. Wind, road, and tire noise are easier to compare back to back than from memory.
What should I ask about service for a Volvo XC90 or a Lincoln Aviator?
Ask how scheduling works, what ride or loaner options exist, and how the team keeps you updated during a repair. The answers tell you what ownership will feel like long after the sale.
How do I compare warranty coverage fairly?
Ask each dealer for the written coverage terms on the exact vehicle, including what's covered and for how long. Lay the documents side by side, and ask our team about Warranty Forever.
Questions Shoppers Ask About Buying at Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Louis
Can I test drive a Lincoln Aviator at Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Louis?
Contact our team to set a time, and tell us who'll ride along so the right Lincoln Aviator is ready when you get here. Bring car seats or gear if you want to test the fit.
Can I trade in my current SUV toward a Lincoln Aviator?
Yes. Our team can appraise your current vehicle and apply its value toward a Lincoln Aviator. Bring the title or loan details if you still owe money on it.
How do I check what is in stock?
Browse the new inventory page on our website for what's on the lot, and contact the team if you want a specific color or equipment. Availability changes often.
Ready to Drive a Lincoln Aviator?
Browse new Lincoln vehicles in stock right now.
Browse New InventoryKeep reading: Still deciding what fits your household? Read how to pick the right Lincoln SUV for your lifestyle.