In the landscape of body-on-frame large luxury SUVs, the Lincoln Navigator has had a long-standing of trading the top spot with the Cadillac Escalade. For the recent generation, introduced in 2018, the Lincoln Navigator continues to be a force to be reckoned with as it received several updates for the 2023 model year, increasing its perception of offering a multitude of luxury appointments for its coveted segment.
For the 2024 model year, the Lincoln Navigator receives just a couple of changes where rear-wheel-drive is no longer an option as four-wheel drive now comes standard across all trim levels, along with Flight Blue Metallic becoming a paint color option. Otherwise, the Lincoln Navigator keeps paving its large and in-charge path as a desirable choice next to the likings of the Cadillac Escalade, the recently redesigned Infiniti QX80, and even the unibody full-size offerings of the Mercedes-Benz GLS Class and BMW X7.
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The Lincoln Navigator, now coming standard with all-wheel drive for 2024, has kept with its tradition since 2018, being powered by the brand’s 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine. The twin-turbo V6 in the Navigator has received small changes over the past few years, where it now makes 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque from a slight change for the 2023 model year for some minor added efficiency. That equates to getting as much as 22 mpg on the highway (16 mpg city/18 mpg combined) yet still providing a good amount of low-end torque to get the big Lincoln up to speed, taking about 6 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill.
For the most part, the engine is predictable in its power delivery with very little turbo lag out of the hole, sending its thrust through a 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s a bit of loftiness in the adaptive suspension setup, mostly in the rear, when using the default normal drive mode. Such characteristics have carried over year after year for the current generation and are only remedied by changing to the Excite drive mode, which is essentially a sport mode where the dampers firm up and the big Navigator feels more planted. Despite the lofty and soft bouncy suspension at times, the Navigator proves to be assuring in turns at legal speeds for such a large SUV. The refinement and power of the Lincoln Navigator’s powertrain hardly ever leave you wanting additional power, even for towing, where you should have no issue towing up to its 8,300-pound max.
Being the Black Label trim, the Lincoln Navigator receives all the luxury goodies, which include the highlight of having ventilated, heated, and massaging front and second-row seats. The seats prove to be somewhat complex, but after taking the necessary time to make proper adjustments in the 30-way perfection position in front seats, there’s a comfy position to be had. The rarity of having a second row of seats with massaging is a plus, as is having ample space to stretch out and relax in the lap of luxury.
Other updated luxury highlights in the new Navigator Black Label include the unique trim and colors of the soft touch and accent-stitched dashboard, in addition to the quilted-patterned perforated leather seats throughout. There are very limited hard plastic areas, and when you find hard surfaces, they are adorned with exquisitely colored trim pieces to match the unique themes that you can select for Black Label trims.
The latest Sync 4 infotainment system in the new Lincoln Navigator is a welcomed change from just two years ago, where you now have a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen that flows in the center down to the center climate vents. The new setup has many improvements and proves to be responsive for most inputs after an initial load process. The new system also makes better use of the screen real estate than the outgoing Sync 3 setup, with the option to display multiple functions at once, including having the climate functions displayed on the screen accessed by an array of physical buttons below. Even the wireless (or USB-connected) integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be configired to display on some of the screen or most of it. The tidiness of the center console is welcomed, as is the unique array of piano-styled transmission selector buttons.
There’s a lot of thought put into the accommodations inside the new Lincoln Navigator, from the power-adjustable gas and brake pedals to the power-folding third and second-row seat backs and power-retracting running boards. The advancements of technology go the distance to bring the Navigator the latest version of the brand’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system that appears to be more adaptable than I remember in older iterations. Here, the system feels more relaxed and proactive in its actions and takes advantage of additional mapped roads to enable the system. You get all the expected active safety features, which some embed into the BlueCruise system, in addition to having a high-resolution 360-degree surround camera system.
The only area that I wish Lincoln would improve upon is making better use of the digital gauge cluster, where competitors incorporate more customization and display of interactive features like live maps. However, the large color head-up display provides a plethora of information all at once but not to the point of being overly distracting.
The Lincoln Navigator remains impressive and deserves to prove its merit of having some edges over competitors, such as having a more luxurious second row of seats. Such appointments come at a price when you opt for the top-trimmed Black Label coming in at $115,370 for my loaded-up test vehicle. However, you can opt for the base trim without the high-level luxury goodies at a starting price of $83,265 before any fees or options.
