2019 Lincoln Navigator Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　

What's new

The 2019 Lincoln Navigator is essentially unchangedPart of the fourth Lincoln Navigator generation introduced in 2018

　　Here's all you really need to know: The 2019 Lincoln Navigator is one of our favorite luxury SUVs. Last year's redesign enhanced the Navigator's already impressive capability to carry people and tow heavy loads. It also ushered in fresh styling and new features. This new Lincoln is at the head of the class against its American counterparts and likely earns front-row status with valet attendants, too.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$198/mo  for Navigator Base

　　Navigator Base

　　4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $73,205 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $75,860 MSRPSelect 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $77,555 MSRPSelect 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $80,210 MSRPL Select 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $80,755 MSRPL Select 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $83,410 MSRPReserve 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $85,205 MSRPL Reserve 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $88,405 MSRPBlack Label 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $96,395 MSRPL Black Label 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $99,595 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　We think the 2019 Navigator wears Lincoln's new design language well. It has both presence and style, even when parked next to SUVs from well-established marques such as Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. Under the hood is an impressive turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out a stout 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. All that massive power gets to the ground via a 10-speed automatic transmission. And while 10 speeds may seem like overkill, you'll hardly notice the shifting, and the additional gearing helps improve both acceleration and fuel economy.

　　Inside, the Navigator uses top-notch materials on every panel. There are three rows of adult-size seating, a massive amount of cargo space, and modern tech behind the prominent infotainment screen. About the only downside is the care required in driving in crowded urban areas, but that's hardly a unique con for a full-size SUV. Overall, we think Lincoln's Navigator is one of the nicest — and certainly the most surprising — luxury SUVs on the market for 2019.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Lincoln Navigator as one of zzdcar' Best Family Cars, Best Family Cars, as well as one of our Best Family Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.4 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Lincoln Navigator Reserve (twin-turbo 3.5L V6 | 10-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.4 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

8.0

　　Considering the size and weight of the Navigator, it does a surprisingly good job of keeping itself tidy. The drivetrain is quick and responsive, the steering is low-effort, and the suspension is relatively slop-free. The one caveat is it performs best on premium fuel, which may get expensive.

　　

Acceleration

8.5

　　This is a great engine. It's flexible and offers plenty of top-end power to get you up to speed in a hurry. The twin-turbo V6 can run on 87 octane, but it's octane-sensitive and performs better on premium. Regular fuel is fine for daily use, but we'd recommend premium fuel for any towing needs.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　Big vehicles tend to nose-dive or squirm around when you jam on the brakes suddenly, and the Navigator is no exception. That said, braking performance is perfectly adequate for the class. In typical driving, the brake pedal is light and effortless, and you can slow with limolike smoothness.

　　

Steering

7.5

　　The light steering effort and quick ratio help make the Navigator feel a little smaller than it actually is. The trade-off is low amounts of feedback, but that's common in this class.

　　

Handling

7.5

　　This big SUV is a decent handler for its size. It feels composed around town and even on tight roads. We wouldn't go so far as to call it sporty. But for the amount of comfort it provides, it's not the clumsy behemoth you'd expect it to be either.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The engine stop-start system is unobtrusive. Some of the low-gear downshifts feel unrefined in this 10-speed automatic, but otherwise the readily available engine power makes the Navigator easy to wheel around. The paddle shifters make it easy to select a proper gear for a grade.

　　

Off-road

6.5

　　The Navigator is available with four-wheel drive, but this big SUV isn't really meant to go off-road. It has big wheels, and the differentials don't have a locking feature. It does have hill descent assist, which is useful for going down steep, slippery slopes.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　You'd expect the Navigator to be comfortable, and it delivers. Seat comfort is excellent, and the adaptive suspension is good at filtering out sharp impacts. The climate control system works effectively to keep you delightfully cool or warm and toasty.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　Lincoln's Perfect Position seats offer more adjustments than seems necessary. It takes a while to find a setting you like. But once you do, comfort is sublime. Touchscreen controls for the seat adjustments minimize confusion. A massage function is also available.

　　

Ride comfort

7.5

　　In the Normal and Comfort settings, the suspension is great at softening sharp bumps or pavement changes. On continuously undulating surfaces, there can be a lot of body movement, which borders on uncomfortable. In the Sport setting, the ride is noticeably busier but without much performance gain.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　Wind and road noise is pretty minimal, and only a small amount of ambient noise sneaks through. The engine is quiet at cruise, only becoming obvious when you romp on it. There were no rattles or squeaks in our test vehicle, which is kind of remarkable in such a big SUV.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　You operate the climate controls with physical buttons for the most part, which we like. You don't have to dig through touchscreen menus to get what you want. The system is effective at moderating cabin temperature with low fan noise. The seat heaters and coolers are effective.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　The Navigator has interior room in spades, and its smart design maximizes ease of entry. A lot of controls require some familiarization time, but ultimately they are easy to use. Cameras help you maneuver this large SUV in tight spaces.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　Most controls are clearly labeled and easy to find with the exception of a few, such as the one for folding the rear headrests. The Sync touchscreen boots up quickly for near-instant access to the rearview camera.

　　

Getting in/getting out

9.0

　　The large door openings, well-placed grab handles, and retractable step rails that deploy as you approach the car make getting in and out a breeze. The second row tilts and slides, which makes for pretty easy access to the third row. It doesn't get much better for such a big SUV.

　　

Driving position

9.0

　　The driving position is excellent thanks to adjustable pedals combined with a tilt-and-telescoping steering column. It helps extend the range of driver comfort, and of course the endlessly adjustable seats provide a fine degree of tailoring. The Navigator gives you a commanding view of the road.

　　

Roominess

9.5

　　There's no shortage of space. The second row feels like another set of front seats, especially with the dual captain's chairs and a large center console. The third row has decent space for adults, and the seats are high off the floor, so your knees aren't level with your chest.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Considering the Navigator's size, visibility is decent. The third-row headrests fold out of view, and there are good-size windows all around to help you see out. The sideview mirrors are adequate. But the chunky front roof pillars can obscure some objects from your view. When parking, the 360-degree camera system is quite useful.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　The Navigator's classy interior design elevates this SUV's appeal to new heights. There are a few cheap-looking switches, and the wood trim looks synthetic, but otherwise all the touch points are pleasant and well-padded.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　If it's space you want, it's what you'll get, even without the extended L Navigator model. There's an abundance of in-cabin storage for everyone's personal effects, and power-folding seats make loading longer cargo items a breeze. Need to tow something? The Navigator can handle up to 8,300 pounds.

　　

Small-item storage

9.5

　　Cabin storage is excellent. The many cubbies include a wide, open rubberized space beneath the center console. The center armrest has a nice two-tier storage bin that's quite deep. The door pockets are large and multitiered. The third row has a couple of cupholders.

　　

Cargo space

8.5

　　There's 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubes behind the second row, and 103.3 cubes with all rear seats folded. It's giant inside. All the rear seats fold flat electronically. The second-row center console sits higher than the seat bottoms, though, which prevents a fully flat load area.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　The LATCH anchors are slightly tucked away in the seat creases, which make them a little hard to access. The top tethers are easy to access, and there's plenty of space to fit a rear-facing car seat.

　　

Towing

8.0

　　The 4WD Navigator is rated to tow a stout 8,300 pounds. We'd recommend using premium fuel when towing — this EcoBoost V6 is octane-sensitive, particularly in hot weather.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　With an excellent infotainment interface, superb sound-system quality, comprehensive driving aids and ample device-charging options, the Navigator has embraced the latest technology without reservation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot are icing on the cake.

　　

Audio & navigation

9.0

　　The premium 20-speaker surround-sound system provides an immersive experience and is easily configurable for those who don't have extensive audio knowledge. Sound quality is impressive, too. The native navigation system works well, but it doesn't offer anything revolutionary.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work well, except that CarPlay defaults to Apple Maps in the navigation when it's connected. Up front are two USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-volt socket. The second row has two USB ports and 12-volt and 115-volt outlets. The third row has two USB ports.

　　

Driver aids

8.5

　　The driving aids are well-tuned. The adaptive cruise control comes to a full stop and is one of the better executions in a large, heavy vehicle. Lane keeping assist provides corrective steering but isn't completely reliable. Many of the collision warning systems have configurable sensitivity.

　　

Voice control

7.5

　　The voice controls work OK, but they are relatively basic and do not understand natural language. We were able to input a destination into the navigation and change radio stations easily, but no real advanced features are offered.

　　

Which Navigator does zzdcar recommend?

　　While the base trim is appealing for its lower starting price, and the top-of-the-line Black Label trim comes with standard with almost everything, we say go with the midlevel Select trim. The Select has some appealing upgrades, such as an adaptive suspension, and still keeps the price reasonable. Just make sure to get optional Technology package that adds some useful advanced driver safety aids.

　　

2019 Lincoln Navigator models

　　The 2019 Lincoln Navigator is available four trim levels: base, Select, Reserve and Black Label. All trims are powered by a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (450 hp, 510 lb-ft) paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional for the first two trims. The Reserve and the Black Label come with 4WD standard.

　　The base Navigator trim level uses the standard wheelbase only. The Select, Reserve and Black Label trims are all available in the extended-wheelbase Navigator L that has additional cargo space. All Navigators have standard second-row captain's chairs and seat seven, but a three-person 40/20/40-split second-row bench seat is optional to boost seating capacity to eight.

　　Standard feature highlights on the base trim include 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, a trailer towing package, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, first- and second-row leather upholstery (third-row vinyl), power-adjustable and heated front seats, power-folding second-row captain's chairs with heating, and a power-folding 60/40-split third-row bench.

　　Also included is a configurable gauge cluster display, 10-inch touchscreen display with the Sync 3 interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, six USB ports throughout the cabin, navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 14-speaker surround-sound system.

　　The Select adds 22-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, power-folding running boards, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view parking camera system, and a wireless charging pad for personal devices.

　　Just a bit further up the ladder is the Reserve trim that adds a panoramic sunroof and upgraded front seats with ventilation. You also get the Technology package (optional on the Select) that includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, a head-up display, lane keeping assist, an automated parking system and automatic high beams.

　　The Black Label Navigator adds the above options as standard plus additional chrome exterior trim, upgraded leather upholstery and a 20-speaker stereo system. For 2019, Lincoln's 30-way multicontour front seats are standard equipment.

　　Some of the upper trim level items are available as stand-alone or packaged options on the lower trim levels. Other notable options include a rear-seat entertainment system, with dual headrest-mounted displays and wireless headphones, and power-folding and heated second-row seats.

　　

2019 Navigator Highlights

Trim: BaseSelectL SelectReserveL ReserveBlack LabelL Black LabelBase

　　

Base MSRP	$73,205
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles