2020 Lincoln Navigator

Specs:  3.5 Liter Twin Turbo / 450 HP / 510 TQ

Price:  $76,185

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Guy who did stuff:  Yousef Alvi

This generation Lincoln Navigator burst unto to the scene and left everyone in utter shock.  Here was a Lincoln…that didn’t feel like a Lincoln that we knew.  It felt, for once, like proper luxury vehicle.  Everything about it was dramatic.  From it’s looks, it’s luscious interior to its power.  It wasn’t just class leading…it was class dominating.  

Now in its 3rd year…the Navigator finally has some competition.  The likes of the BMW X7, Mercedes GLS and the new Escalade are knocking on the Navigator’s door.  Does it still hold up?  

Let’s break it down:

The Great:

The interior of the Navigator hasn’t shown it’s age.  It still feels as luxurious as it did back in 2018.  The material qualities are excellent, the seats are fantastic in all rows and the switchgear feels solid and there is heft to their engagement.  The interior is so good in fact…that I prefer it over the BMW X7’s.  

The 3.5 Liter EcoBoost doesn’t just serve up power in a traditional sense.  It wafts torque at you in waves and those waves make the Navigator feel quick behind the wheel.  

The Good:

The Navigator visual aesthetic has aged gracefully as well.  It is still stately as ever and compared to the bucktooth X7, the bulbous GLS and the over-styled Escalade… it is the best looking Full Size SUV on the road.  

The Bad:

Cycling through the drive modes takes a catastrophically long time.  So long in fact…it is pretty useless to use and best to leave everything in ‘Normal’.  

While the front seats are supportive, comfortable and uber adjustable.  They also creak getting into and out of along with being randomly creaky going down the road.  

While EcoBoost serves comparable horsepower to it’s V8 competitors…not offers none of the fuel savings that come with it’s smaller displacement.  We saw 14.2 mpg in mixed driving.  

The Ugly:

The 10 speed transmission doesn’t feel refined enough for this category.  Slow to respond to throttle inputs, slow to shift and using the paddles to override is an exercise in frustration. 

The Overall:  

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator still lives up to the lofty ambitions it laid forth during its launch.  It is still stylish, comfortable, quick and luxurious. It is still one of the best full size SUVs on the market today.