The Lincoln Navigator, since its debut in 1998, has been a prominent figure in the luxury SUV market. It arrived at a time when luxury SUVs were often rugged vehicles first and luxury vehicles second. The Navigator, however, shifted the paradigm, offering a plush, chrome-clad experience that resonated with buyers looking for space and opulence. Now, a quarter of a century later, the 2024 Lincoln Navigator continues this legacy as the luxury-focused counterpart to the Ford Expedition. In a crowded segment filled with formidable rivals, we spent a week rigorously testing the mid-tier Reserve model to bring you an in-depth Lincoln Navigator review. We delve into its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if this full-size luxury SUV is the perfect fit for your needs. With prices starting at $82,765, let’s explore what the Navigator has to offer.
Exuding Mighty Elegance
The 2024 Lincoln Navigator makes a grand entrance, quite literally. Approach with the key fob, and the exterior lighting gracefully awakens, LEDs cascading across the headlight and taillight strips. This subtle yet sophisticated detail immediately conveys the vehicle’s luxury pedigree and the meticulous attention to detail from its designers.
Fundamentally, the Navigator is undeniably large – a tall, wide, and boxy SUV. However, Lincoln masterfully masks this bulk with elegant design elements. The signature crosshatched chrome grille is substantial and commanding without appearing overly aggressive. The headlights and taillights feature gently rounded edges, with the latter forming a sleek, continuous light bar spanning the vehicle’s rear. A 2022 styling refresh subtly refined both the front and rear lighting, further softening the Navigator’s imposing size. While the current generation dates back to 2018, its design has aged gracefully, maintaining a contemporary appeal.
Interior: Where Luxury Meets User-Friendly Ergonomics
The Navigator’s dashboard design has been a standout feature since 2018, and it remains a benchmark in its class. It subtly nods to the horizontally oriented dashboards of the 1980s, yet it’s thoroughly modern, anchored by a seamlessly integrated 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen at its center. The quality of materials and the precision of assembly are undeniably top-tier – a significant leap from Lincolns of decades past.
In an era where ergonomic considerations often take a backseat in luxury vehicles, the Navigator prioritizes user-friendliness. It offers a balanced approach, providing ample physical buttons and knobs alongside its intuitive touchscreen interface. While some Lincoln Navigator Reviews have noted the simplicity of the screen’s graphics, we appreciate Lincoln’s understated elegance and focus on ease of use. Even the warning tones are gentle and soothing, reinforcing the vehicle’s luxurious ambiance – a welcome contrast to the jarring alerts found in some competitors.
Unrivaled Passenger Space: A True Family SUV
The sheer size of the Lincoln Navigator translates directly into exceptional interior space. Measuring 210 inches in length, 80 inches in width, and 76 inches in height, it’s a genuinely large SUV. For those needing even more room, the extended-wheelbase Navigator L stretches to a cavernous 222 inches. Unsurprisingly, passenger space is abundant throughout the cabin.
The front seats are akin to elevated thrones, broad and supportive, separated by a substantial center console with twin padded armrests. Our test vehicle was equipped with the available “Perfect Position” seats, offering an incredible 30-way power adjustability, allowing occupants to meticulously tailor the seat to their ideal comfort and save these settings in the vehicle’s memory. The second row is equally spacious and well-cushioned, and even adults will find the reclining third row surprisingly comfortable. The Navigator offers seven- and eight-seat configurations, with the latter featuring a second-row bench seat instead of the captain’s chairs and fixed center console in our test vehicle. While the Navigator L doesn’t increase passenger space compared to the standard model, the standard Navigator is already exceptionally roomy.
Cargo Capacity: Standard vs. Navigator L
While the standard Navigator excels in passenger space, the Navigator L truly shines when it comes to cargo volume. Despite its overall size, the standard Navigator has limited cargo floor space behind the third-row seats. With the third row in use, you get only 19 cubic feet of cargo space, even when loading up to the ceiling. This is a common compromise in three-row SUVs, and the Navigator is not immune.
However, folding down the third row reveals a generous 60 cubic feet, exceeding the total cargo capacity of many smaller SUVs. With both the second and third rows folded, cargo space expands to a massive 103 cubic feet. For those who frequently utilize all seating positions, the Navigator L’s extended length provides a significant advantage, offering 34 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a class-leading 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Furthermore, the Navigator boasts a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds, making it a top choice for those needing to haul trailers.
Cargo area of the 2022 Lincoln Navigator with the third row folded down, showcasing the expansive space
Performance and Fuel Economy: Potent Yet Surprisingly Efficient
The Navigator packs a powerful punch, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque from its engine. This power is channeled through a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Despite its size and performance, the Navigator manages to be reasonably fuel-efficient.
The EPA estimates fuel economy at 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined for every 2024 Navigator. Our week-long test yielded a respectable 17 mpg average. While it’s still a considerable fuel consumption, it’s comparable to many smaller crossover SUVs and a significant improvement over the original 1998 Navigator, which was rated at just 12 mpg combined with a less powerful 230-hp engine. This efficiency is largely attributed to the current model’s turbocharged six-cylinder “EcoBoost” engine. While premium gasoline is recommended to achieve the full 440 horsepower, the Navigator can run on regular 87-octane fuel, as used in EPA testing. Unless you’re frequently towing or demanding maximum performance, using regular gas can save you a noticeable amount at each fill-up.
Technology: Hands-Free Driving with BlueCruise
Our test Navigator was equipped with Lincoln’s BlueCruise system, a hands-free driving technology that utilizes cameras and sensors to operate the vehicle on over 130,000 miles of pre-mapped highways across North America. Unlike most competing systems, BlueCruise explicitly allows for hands-free driving, similar to General Motors’ Super Cruise. Drivers can remove their hands from the steering wheel and allow the Navigator to manage speed and steering within designated highway sections. The system will disengage if road conditions become too challenging, if the vehicle leaves a pre-mapped route, or if the in-car camera detects driver inattentiveness. Currently, BlueCruise in the Navigator does not offer automatic lane changing like Super Cruise, but Ford has announced an upcoming BlueCruise 1.2 update that will add this feature for existing owners.
Even when driving manually, the Navigator is surprisingly easy to maneuver for its size. While it doesn’t possess the agile handling of smaller car-based crossovers, it’s far from clumsy. The standard adaptive suspension contributes to a comfortable ride. Parking, particularly the longer Navigator L, requires practice, but the available hands-free self-parking system is a valuable aid.
Pricing and Trims: Luxury at a Premium
The starting price for the 2024 Lincoln Navigator has seen a slight increase, beginning at $82,675, up from $79,725 the previous year. However, this is primarily due to Lincoln streamlining the lineup and eliminating the rear-wheel-drive base models. For those who would have opted for four-wheel drive anyway, the price change is effectively minimal.
The base Navigator Premiere is already generously equipped with features like heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, power-retractable running boards, 20-inch wheels, GPS navigation, a 14-speaker stereo, and adaptive cruise control. The Reserve trim, starting at $95,325 (as tested), adds genuine leather upholstery, 24-way adjustable front seats (just shy of the “Perfect Position” seats), a panoramic sunroof, 22-inch wheels, a head-up display, and BlueCruise. Options include a premium 28-speaker Revel stereo, massaging front seats, and the full “Perfect Position” seats. The top-tier Black Label trim, priced at $110,750, includes all available options, unique styling elements, and exclusive ownership perks. The extended-length Navigator L is offered in Reserve and Black Label trims, adding $3,000 to the price.
Competition: Navigating the Luxury SUV Landscape
The Lincoln Navigator’s arrival in 1998 directly spurred competition, most notably from the Cadillac Escalade, which remains its primary rival. The Escalade boasts slightly more cargo space, a more angular design, a more dramatically styled interior, and a hands-free driving system that is arguably more advanced out of the box. Its available turbodiesel engine is also a fuel-efficient (though less powerful) alternative. However, the Escalade’s standard V8 engine is less fuel-efficient and less powerful than the Navigator’s turbocharged V6. Furthermore, many Lincoln Navigator reviews highlight the Navigator’s superior interior build quality and user-friendliness compared to the Escalade.
Other key competitors include the Infiniti QX80 and Lexus LX 600. The Navigator offers significantly more interior space and a more refined driving experience than both, although the Infiniti has a lower starting price. European contenders like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS offer a more car-like driving experience and sleeker styling, but with slightly less interior space. For buyers seeking luxury at a potentially lower price point, the Ford Expedition, the Navigator’s mainstream sibling, offers many similar features. Finally, if towing capacity is not a primary concern, spacious three-row crossover SUVs like the Lexus TX, Infiniti QX60, or Buick Enclave present compelling value alternatives.
Final Verdict: A Top Contender in the Full-Size Luxury SUV Arena
Whether your priorities in a full-size luxury SUV are family-friendly space, robust towing capability, a feature-rich cabin, commanding road presence, or a combination of these attributes, the 2024 Lincoln Navigator delivers comprehensively.
Even without a complete redesign since 2018, the Navigator maintains a fresh and contemporary feel both inside and out. It comfortably accommodates large families with three rows of usable seating, while also providing a genuinely luxurious experience for discerning drivers. Its interior quality, user-friendly layout, potent yet relatively economical powertrain, and overall design continue to rival and often surpass newer competitors. Unless you prioritize a smaller footprint and more car-like handling, the Lincoln Navigator stands out as a true leader in the full-size luxury SUV segment. For those seeking the pinnacle of American luxury and capability, Lincoln Navigator reviews consistently point to it as an exceptional choice.
