Latest News
Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2023 Lincoln Navigator Review
The 2023 Lincoln Navigator offers a lot of luxury in a family-sized SUV. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more.
2023 Lincoln Navigator – lincoln.com | Shop 2023 Lincoln Navigator on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator?
Now in its fourth generation, the Navigator continues to be the flagship SUV for its brand. It’s available in two lengths, three trim levels, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and all Navigators share the same 440 hp twin-turbocharged V6.
The Navigator gets excellent interior comfort accouterments, great fit and finish, and high-end technology. Top-level trims also get serious towing capacity and semi-autonomous driving tech.
Lincoln hasn’t seen fit to do much to the 2023 Navigator. The heavy-duty towing package is now standard on the Reserve and Black Label trims, Diamond Red is a newly available paint color, and Manhattan Green is more widely available too.
The Breakdown
Extremely comfortable
Great engine
Huge cargo storage
Unresponsive steering
Very expensive
Fuel economy is poor
A very comfy cruiser
2023 Navigator Specs
- 440 horsepower from base engine
- 510 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 19.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 103.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 8,700 lbs
- 13.2-inch infotainment system
- Standard collision avoidance
- Free maintenance for 1 year/10,000 miles
2023 Lincoln Navigator Powertrain
Under the hood of every Navigator is a 440-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. That’s actually a bit less power than you’d find in a used Navigator. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the bottom two trim levels but 4WD is available. As a powertrain unit, it’s one of the best in the business and manages to maintain excellent power delivery, smooth operation, and okay-ish fuel economy considering its heft and horsepower rating.
At the same time, the size of the Navigator does it no favors in the steering feedback department where it’s slow and unresponsive. In our comparison between the Lincoln Navigator and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, it was driving characteristics that ultimately gave the Grand Wagoneer the win. We’d recommend comparing both back to back to see which you prefer.
Towing & Payload
When properly equipped, the Navigator can tow up to 8,700 pounds which is more than many in this same segment. If it wasn’t spacious enough in the cabin, it can pull a trailer with even more storage behind it. To accomplish that, it’ll need the heavy-duty tow package which is standard on both the Reserve and Black Label trim levels.
2023 Lincoln Navigator Fuel Economy & MPG
Considering its size, it should be no surprise that the Navigator isn’t exactly a fuel-sipping machine. The EPA says it’ll get at best 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. Add 4WD and you’ll end up with 16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If there’s one way to convince friends and family that the Navigator might just be worth its gigantic price tag it might be to simply have them sit in it. Every trim level is beautifully equipped with high-end materials, excellent build quality, and very comfortable seating. Both the front and second rows get heated and ventilated seating. The third row is spacious too and features powered controls so that occupants can get more comfortable.
Step up to the Reserve or Black Label trims and you’ll get even nicer materials, more adjustability, and a panoramic sunroof. Massaging seats are available too along with illuminated power running boards. Few places are as comfortable as the Navigator when it comes to a road trip. That’s even more true in the L version with extra cargo space in the back.
The Navigator has 19.3 cubic feet of storage behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet in total with the seats folded down. The Navigator L ends up with 34.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 120.2 in terms of total volume. It’s one quality that makes it one of the best SUVs for families.
Entertainment & Technology
Overall the tech package in the base Navigator is impressive in its own right. It combines a 12-inch digital gauge cluster with a 13.2-inch infotainment system and 14 speakers. We found the touchscreen to be responsive, intuitive, and logically laid out. Moreover, the sound quality and clarity are outstanding for a system of its size. Those who want even better audio can get it with a 28-speaker Revel system.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also both on offer for those that prefer them. USB power ports are numerous too. We also think that Lincoln’s ActiveGlide semi-autonomous driving software is worth mentioning too.
It’s one of the better ones we’ve tested and does a good job of managing its lane, speed, and distance from other vehicles. The only downside is that it can be quick to deactivate if you’re not paying strict attention to the lane ahead.
Safety Features
Safety scores for the Lincoln Navigator are somewhat few and far between. The IIHS hasn’t released any safety data for the SUV. The NHTSA doesn’t have an overall score for it either but does say that its side-impact score is five stars. On top of that, Lincoln offers an awesome safety suite of driver aids like forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, and more.
2023 Lincoln Navigator Trims & Pricing
Lincoln sells the Navigator Reserve and Black Label trims in normal length and L, adding almost 12 inches of overall length and a 27-gallon fuel tank instead of the standard 23-gallon unit. Aside from additional cargo space and fuel capacity, the two are equipped identically throughout. Even seating capacity is identical.
Standard – $81,620
The standard Navigator gets 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, power running boards, a hands-free liftgate, an adaptive suspension, and power running boards.
The cabin features tri-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats in both of the first two rows, power-folding third-row seats, faux leather upholstery, and a heated power-tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Standard tech includes a 12-inch driver information display, a 13.2-inch infotainment system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and wireless device charging.
Safety equipment includes evasive steering assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and an automated parking system.
Reserve – $93,830
The Reserve adds leather upholstery, 22-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, illuminated power running boards, 24-way-adjustable front seats, and a heads-up display. On top of that it gets Lincoln’s ActiveGlide semi-autonomous driving software.
Black Label – $111,150
The top-level Navigator gets unique 22-inch wheels, standard four-wheel drive, digital key software, unique interior treatments, 30-way power-adjustable massaging seats, and an upgraded sound system with 28 speakers. Black Label customers also get more warranty coverage and complimentary car washes.
Warranties
Lincoln offers a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty on every Navigator. The powertrain gets coverage that extends to six years or 70,000 miles. In addition, Lincoln picks up the tab for all scheduled maintenance over the first year or 10,000 miles.
Black Label buyers get four years or 50,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. That’s a strong warranty package for the segment.
What we think
2023 Lincoln Navigator – lincoln.com | Shop 2023 Lincoln Navigator on Carsforsale.com
There are a lot of different luxury SUVs on the market around the same price as the Navigator. While the Lincoln isn’t very good to drive compared to most, it also offers an excellent combination of technology, safety equipment, and warranty coverage. We’d still test all the big players in this segment before making a choice. However, there is a lot to like about the Lincoln Navigator. Whatever you prefer, be sure to check out our list of the best new car incentives before you make a deal.
