With the new Navigator, Lincoln has dropped a big new flag into luxury full-size SUV territory. The Lincoln weighs nearly 6000 pounds, is clad in an elegant aluminum skin and rides on a unitized steel body. Power comes from a turbocharged Ecoboost V6 that produces 450 horsepower at 5500 rpm, with 510 lb-feet of torque on tap from 3000 rpm. Power is put to the road through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and 4-wheel drive available. Lincoln estimates a combined fuel economy rating of 18 mpg, and the maximum towing capacity is rated at 8700 pounds.
The Navigator comes in four trims--Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label (which is only available at participating Lincoln Black Label Dealers)--and though the Premiere is only offered in the standard wheelbase of 123 inches, the other three trims are also available an extended Navigator L models. Regardless of the trim or length, however, all Navigators offer luxury seating for eight passengers. It's in the cargo capacity where L models excel, with an extra 15 cubic feet of space over the standard Navigator.
Navigator Premiere models ride on 20-inch 14-spoke aluminum wheels and include LED fog lights, headlights and daytime running lights, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, a satin chrome mesh grille with active grille shutters and a foot-activated, hands-free liftgate. Inside there's genuine wood trim in the center console and door panels, a leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, leather seating with 10-way power heated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs and power-recline third-row seats. The Instrument panel is a 12-inch configurable LCD screen. The pedals are adjustable, the windows are power one-touch. Also included are 3-zone automatic climate control, 4G modem with WiFi hotspot capability and active noise control. A 10-inch LCD touchscreen provides control for the SYNC 3 infotainment system, the navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio and a 14-speaker Revel audio system. A heated second-row 40/20/40 power-folding bench is optional, as is hill descent control on 4-wheel drive models.
The Select trims add 22-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, illuminated power running boards, wireless device charging and a heated steering wheel. Options include a CD player, heated and ventilated 30-way "perfect position" front seats with memory, adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation, head-up display and active park assist. A panoramic sunroof is optional on the Select.
Reserve Navigators offer an illuminated emblem, illuminated seatbelt buckles, the Technology Package, heated and ventilated 24-way power front seats and second-row split seating with a center console. A 20-speaker audio system is optional, as are second-row heated dual captain's chairs.
Finally, the top-tier Navigator Black Label, which offers seating for seven, rides on special 22-inch wheels, and comes standard with adaptive cruise control, head-up display, park assist and lane departure warning. Additionally, the Black Label offers themed interiors such as "Chalet" and "Yacht Club," and "Destination." Chalet is clad in Alpine and Espresso leather with Silverwood inlays. Yacht Club offers soft blues with teak wood and a sand headliner, while Destination features mahogany leather Khaya inlays and a mahogany headliner.
A Heavy-Duty towing package features electronic traction assist, a heavy-duty radiator, trailer backup assist and a trailer brake controller. Other packages include a Technology Package and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.
Standard safety features include traction control with stability control, side-wind stabilization, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, advanced airbags and anti-lock brakes. For 2020, Ford and Lincoln's Co-Pilot360 driver assistance suite is standard, so standard safety features also include a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking and a lane-keep assist system.
Elegant Styling
Plenty Of Interior Space For People And Cargo
Strong Towing Capacity
Unrivaled Luxury
Efficient, Powerful Turbocharged V6 Engine
Themed Black Label Offerings
The Navigator continues into 2020 with only a few minor updates. Lincoln's Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids now come standard on all Navigator models. Increased phone connectivity is also standard for 2020, adding vehicle locking and unlocking access through a smartphone app.
In the realm of full-size luxury SUVs, the Lincoln Navigator has few peers. Inside and out, it feels as if no expense has been spared to pack the Navigator with luxury appointments, state-of-the-art technology and incredible style.
There really is only one other heavyweight in the full-size luxury SUV category besides the Navigator and it is the Cadillac Escalade. Both offer around 450 horsepower, but the Navigator gets it done via an Ecoboost V6, gives it a (slight) fuel economy advantage over the Cadillac's big V8.
Both luxury SUVs offer 3-row seating, but the Lincoln's a bit more generous with the legroom in what is traditionally the most cramped seat in the car.
The Navigator also offers an independent rear suspension, so it offers more cargo room but handling and ride are much safe and more comfortable than the Escalade.
