2016 Lincoln Navigator 4x4 Reserve
Price: $76,525 as tested (the lone option was a $995 power moonroof). “Cheapskates” who go for the base Navigator will pay just $63,195.
Marketer’s pitch: “Our finest command performance.”
Conventional wisdom: Edmunds.com liked the plush ride, roomy third-row seat and that it was “typically less expensive than comparable rivals.” Knocks included that it was difficult to park, “missing a few high-end features” and had “a few low-quality interior materials.”
Reality: The vehicle that will make you want to drive again — but not because of its sporty feel.
What a long, strange trip: After 10 hours and 520 miles in the Sturgis Family Sienna on a North Carolina vacation, I vowed something along the lines of “never getting in a car ever again ever.” Arriving home to find a Lincoln Navigator waiting in my garage made me cast aside my vow quicker than a Kardashian on a Vegas vacation.
A short visit: We only had the Navigator a few days, so we made a special trip to the Chesapeake Bay.
Lincoln luxury: The Navigator beckoned, with its shiny ebony paint and subtle silver trim. But I knew what would happen after sitting inside: I’d never want to get out.
Lincoln seats are soft, supple, luxurious leather. Not the firm leather the hoi polloi is used to; this makes one’s spine tingle with joy. Ziricote (exotic Mexican wood) appliques, wood on the steering wheel and a glovebox that mimicked the gauge pod gave the vehicle a classy feel.
Friends and stuff: The middle of three rows came equipped with captain’s chairs. All was fine until I asked Sturgis Kid 4.0 to try out the back seat. Legroom in the way, way back is spectacular for a three-row SUV. Headroom is OK too, although 6-foot-tall 4.0 disagreed on this point.
The seats themselves were firm but felt thin and left an awkward backrest after the headrest was unfolded into position. Entry/exit is not bad, as the middle row folds into a spot labeled “cargo,” allowing passengers to climb over easily.
Behind the third row is a tight 18.1 cubic inches of cargo room. Giant first- and second-row bins carry plenty of extras, though.
A separate model, called the Navigator L, measures a full 15 inches longer. It provides the same legroom, but more than double the cargo space — 42.6 cubic feet.
Up to speed: The vehicle’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 provides 380 horses. Power felt adequate, but not much more than that.
Shifty: The six-speed automatic comes with a manual mode, but only a button controls shifting, falling far short of a shift lever or paddles.
On the road: The Navigator is a large, bulky, truck-based SUV. In comparison, a Cadillac Escalade offers regular and “sport” (no joke) modes. The Navigator handles better than the standard Escalade but not as well as the sport. Still, the ride is nice. Winding roads are not fun, but the Navigator is surefooted and pleasant enough.
Tunes: The Navigator screen — 7.5 inches wide and 4 inches high, according to Lincoln — seemed quite small for 75 grand. But the functionality of the touchscreen was good and knobs control volume and tuning. The stereo provided excellent sound.
Night shift: The overhead lights shone brightly and in beautiful tones, but they were a little scattered and interfered with the view of the road.
Fuel economy: The Navigator averaged 15.8 mpg in its previous 500 miles. I confess our short time in the vehicle accumulated a mere 200 miles. Still, most vehicles get better mileage before I drive them, so this is probably on the high side for a Mr. Driver’s Seat average.
Where it’s built: Louisville, Ky.
How it’s built: Consumer Reports doesn’t have reliability data on the Navigator, but Ford Expeditions built in the same plant garner excellent ratings for 2016.
In the end: Comfortable, luxurious, and reliable? Looks like the Navigator won’t lead you astray.
Scott Sturgis, a freelance auto writer, writes the Driver’s Seat column for the Post-Gazette. He can be reached at mrdriversseat@gmail.com.
First Published: September 22, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
