Lincoln has always maintained its grip in the auto industry as a luxury vehicle producer, and the 2020 Navigator helps to solidify their rep. The high-end nameplate will get you through rough weather, hold umpteen folks, and will do so in comfort and style. No matter what your definition of an SUV, the Navigator is a big and luscious standout that will fulfill your vehicle needs.
The American automaker’s vehicles have always made you look, but the latest Navigator is definitely not shy about grabbing attention. It more than satisfies an appetite for large vehicles and does make a case for itself by offering one of the most spacious, extravagant, and comfortable rides available.
The Navigator’s well-appointed and plush innards take luxury to an extreme end in a good way. The full-sized vehicle’s interior is hushed, a sanctuary of sorts, sans the wind and heating/cooling system noises thanks to its Active Noise Cancelling System. You’ll immediately notice how the cabin is awash with beautiful touches. The base Navigators feature beautiful materials, but the Black Label models add soft leather, wood trim, and metal accents.
Comfort levels rise to new heights with the Navigator’s heated/cooled supportive seating that accommodates frames from A to Z. Wait, not to mention the optional 30-way front seats would be a sin and a shame! The seating all-around is spacious, even for long limbs. Heated and cooled front seats now come standard in the SUV as do power running boards. The Navigator seats eight, but there are models with second-row captain’s chairs that seat seven. You can easily access the third-row by sliding/tilting the second-row seats, and surprisingly, they are suitable for adults.
The large-and-in-charge Lincoln also has some impressive tech savvy-creds like the SYNC 3 Enhanced Voice Recognition Communications and Entertainment System with 8-inch (or 10-inch) capacitive touchscreen is a cinch to use and compatible with Amazon Alexa. The system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also standard and can support ten devices. Wireless charging is available, in addition to six USB ports, four 12-volt outlets, and a 110-volt household outlet in the cavernous cabin.
As far as cargo space, folding down all the back seats will provide 103 cubic feet for whatever you need to haul (120.2 in long-wheelbase L form). If your passengers like being visually engaged, there’s an available rear-seat entertainment system that can stream Sling TV. A true godsend worth noting is the Lincoln Way app, where you can program your smartphone to act as the key to your Navigator via a Bluetooth connection.
Safety-wise, the Navigator earned a five-star overall safety rating and four stars in the rollover category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Lincoln has given its Navigator such driver assistance standards as Blind-spot monitor, pedestrian detection, emergency brake assist, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Lincoln also offers in its Navigator, an optional surround-view camera system, a head-up display, automatic high-beam headlights, and enhanced active park assist.
Getting behind the wheel of the truck-based luxe SUV was satisfying. The vehicle has a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers a potent 450 horses and 510 lb-ft of torque. You won’t reminisce about a V8 with longing because the Navigator’s engine is plenty powerful. You will actually forget the Navigator’s size as you drive about because maneuvering the SUV is such an easy, composed and smooth task. It soaks up road thumps like a champ thanks to its adaptive suspension that controls the movement of the wheels on uneven surfaces. Steering is also especially light for this three-tons-plus behemoth.
Is big and luscious thirsty at the pumps? Well, it guzzles 16 city/22 highway and 19 combined mpg with rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel comes in at a smidge better pump-wise—16/21/18 mpg.
The 2020 Lincoln Navigator is a brawny SUV that has bold styling and over-the-top luxury features that make quite an impression. It offers respectable power and delivers a smooth ride. If you’re in the market for a refined high-end hauler that delivers performance and styling, then the Navigator is your best bet.
Prices start at $76,185. Need more info? www.Lincoln.com