Michigan noticed a historic quantity of snowfall in 2018. And it’s not accomplished. It’s snowing as I write this and it snowed practically on daily basis since I took supply of this burgundy 2018 Lincoln Navigator. Excuse the soiled automobile proven within the photographs. That’s life within the Midwest: half the 12 months it’s inconceivable to maintain vehicles clear of salt and dirt and, to me, that’s the most effective time to evaluation a car. I’m comfortable to report the brand new Navigator is a snug refuge from the snowy winter.
I spent per week within the 2018 Navigator working from Flint, Michigan to Ann Arbor to Detroit. I stuffed up the 23-gallon tank sufficient to know to take it straightforward on the vigorous three.5L EcoBoost V6. The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is lush and assured — however thirsty.
It is a luxurious SUV. It’s not a sport truck and it’s not high-tech paradise, although it might play the a part of each. The brand new Navigator was clearly constructed to be as comfy as doable, and alongside the best way Lincoln constructed the most effective luxurious SUVs in the marketplace.
Evaluation
Winter hit Michigan onerous this 12 months and I discovered the ditch in my 2012 Dodge Durango R/T a number of instances. It began snowing in December and didn’t cease till midway via March. I grew up in Michigan and nonetheless stay within the state. Driving in snow doesn’t trouble me, although leaping into an unfamiliar car and navigating snow-covered roads will be difficult. However not on this Navigator. I discovered it handles snow and slush and ice with out a problem.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV. It sits as excessive as a Ford F-150 and tends to lumber about as such. The experience is assured and secure. There’s little sway on tight expressway ramps and the automated four-wheel drive rapidly prompts when a tire begins to spin.
This Navigator isn’t a sport truck, nevertheless it will get up and goes because of Ford’s incredible three.5L EcoBoost V6. This six-cylinder twin-turbo equipment has discovered its means into practically each full-size platform Ford gives. The Navigator is presented with an up to date model of the engine and it gives ample energy throughout its vary. The three.5L surprises on this huge luxurious SUV. It’s vigorous and highly effective and greater than sufficient to make the experience comfy. Throughout my time with the truck, I by no means felt at a lack of energy, although I attempted.
The engine is vital to the Navigator’s attraction on a number of ranges. First, three.5L V6 gives first rate gasoline economic system if pushed conservatively whereas providing an honest bit of pleasure if pushed with that intent. Second, it permits Lincoln to say the Navigator is ready to tow 600 lbs greater than the Cadillac Escalade, which encompasses a huge 6.2L V8. Whereas each autos can ably pull a pontoon, the Lincoln does so with 510 lb.-ft of torque over Cadillac’s 460 — although and not using a boat of my very own, I’m unable to substantiate if the distinction is felt in the true world.
The steering is mild and responsive, although it’s inconceivable to neglect this can be a huge car. It drives like a truck — although not your grandfather’s work truck. The driving force sits in a commanding place that makes for good visibility. The car’s suspension lets it cruise over tough roads and most bumps are absorbed. It’s a giant SUV and there’s a good quantity of physique roll on on-ramps. Parking isn’t a problem. There are many cameras positioned across the car to assist maneuver this land yacht.
The inside of the brand new Navigator stuns. Wooden, leather-based and chrome adorn the surfaces and walks near the road of glitz. It begs the affirmation that it finally comes from an American automaker. Take the badging off the inside and it might simply be mistaken as a luxurious European SUV — although this Navigator is greater than something provided throughout the pond.
It’s roomy inside. Storage is ample however cleverly hidden in order to not appear to be a minivan. There’s loads of leg room for second-row passengers whereas the third row is surprisingly roomy.
The seats are one thing particular. Positive, they’re comfy and supportive like every present in high-end SUVs. It’s their design that units them aside. The cushions jet out from a big again help making them look extra like an Eames lounger than an overstuffed leather-based recliner. The design is a stark departure from most automotive seats, and I’m a fan.
The again seats aren’t practically as comfy. They’re supportive and supply a number of seating positions. On this tester, the rear seat is supplied with a middle console that sports activities a small LCD display that shows the media at present enjoying. The children find it irresistible and I’m certain Uber passengers would too. As a mother or father to 2 children, I discovered it annoying to cede management of the radio to the backseat. Fortunately there’s a button above the local weather controls that disables the backseat controls, as a result of I can solely take heed to Radio Disney for thus lengthy.
Tech
There’s an LCD display mounted within the middle of the sprint. It’s giant sufficient to be usable although not distracting. The very best half? The display doesn’t present fingerprints. There’s clearly a coating over the display that by some means, magically, makes fingerprints invisible. Glare doesn’t appear to be a problem, although, as beforehand talked about, it’s been snowing for per week and I haven’t seen the solar in any respect throughout my testing.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is supplied with a Lincoln-badged model of the Ford Sync three infotainment system. The automaker rolled out this technique with 2016 fashions and it’s an enormous enchancment over earlier Sync variations. It’s not the most effective infotainment system obtainable, nevertheless it’s ok. Car features and controls are in logical locations and Ford’s AppLink system gives help for some third-party apps now, together with Waze .
Android Auto and CarPlay are additionally obtainable when used with suitable units. I’ve grown to keep away from these programs and like to stay with most programs developed by automakers. I used to be initially a fan of CarPlay, however Apple has but to advance the platform, and now a number of years after its launch, it feels dated and unusable.
The Navigator’s smartphone app is intelligent. Must put in navigation data? With the Lincoln Approach app, drivers can enter a vacation spot on their smartphone app earlier than they get into the car and ship these instructions to the Navigator. It’s a lot simpler than coming into the vacation spot via the in-vehicle system. The app additionally lets drivers begin the automobile, order roadside help or service and find the automobile.
Competitors
This new Navigator is in a category of its personal. The Cadillac Escalade’s inside is vastly inferior, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is dated and far much less roomy. The Lexus LX and Toyota Land Cruiser have higher off-road chops, however the platform is over 10 years outdated and it reveals. Land Rover’s SUVs are costlier and its three-row fashions are a lot smaller and fewer highly effective than the Navigator, although new fashions are popping out quickly.
There merely isn’t a extra luxurious, roomy six- or seven-passenger car obtainable than the brand new Navigator.
I’m out there for a brand new car and just lately take a look at drove a number of used 2017 Lincoln Navigators. It’s a pleasant truck, however lacks the wow issue of the 2018 Navigator. The place previous fashions had been clearly a rebadged Ford, full with comparable plastic trim and tools, the brand new Navigator is a contemporary departure from its Ford counterpart, the Expedition. Similarities between the 2 fashions nonetheless exist, although they’re much less pronounced, with the Lincoln clearly getting the nod towards luxurious.
The Navigator of at the moment is significantly better than the Navigator of yesterday. Lincoln improved the Navigator in practically each means. The experience, the consolation, the expertise. Every thing is healthier, and that’s spectacular and should be famous.
The Navigator is 25 years outdated this 12 months. It was one of many first American-made luxurious SUVs, nevertheless it has practically all the time been overshadowed by the Escalade — and for good cause. The Escalade has all the time provided extra the whole lot than the Navigator. However not anymore.
The brand new Navigator units the bar. It’s luxurious. It’s highly effective. The Navigator is fantastic.