By: Jag Dhatt
While the world is moving towards smaller, economical, and electric vehicles, one has to wonder if there is still a need for the bigger brutes. Do we need the massive family haulers when slightly smaller SUVs will do the same? Well, yes as there is something to be said about traveling, especially on longer drives, in something spacious where you can stretch your arms and legs, and just lounge. And hey, when you want a ginormous vehicle, might as well make it a luxury one. From the few pickings of full-size luxury SUVs, I had the chance to test the 2024 Lincon Navigator Reserve; during the week, I remembered why I still am an avid admirer of large vehicles.
Before moving to big city from a small town, our family owned large cars; from the Pontiac Parisienne and Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight to the Ford Aerostar and Chevy G20 van, big vehicles were practical. Six adults (we packed more) sat comfortably. The ride was smooth and doughy. The V8 engines purred. And since gas was cheap, these large vehicles weren’t expensive to run.
Fast forward to 2024 and the Lincoln Navigator does all that and more, in luxury, style, comfort and complete with all the modern technology one needs.
As with large vehicles, the Navigator can comfortably seat 7 or 8 people. How comfortably? Well, the second row has a max legroom of 42.3” and headroom of 40”. The third row has a max legroom of 40.9” so depending on the configuration, all passengers are pretty comfortable, especially if the second row has captain chairs. Add the large glass roof and that spacious interior looks even bigger.
The Navigator doesn’t shy away from hiding its spacious interior. The SUV is big and when you see the large grille coming towards you, size becomes that much more apparent. And hats off to Lincoln for finally getting the grille right in the current generation. In past model years, actually right from the beginning in 1997, the front grille never looked the part, to me anyways. It now matches the luxurious look of the vehicle – classy and elegant.
Power to move the large Navigator continues to come from Ford’s 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 EcoBoost engine, that is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. While one may like to have a V8 under the hood, this 3.5L is a gem and packs quite a punch, moving the Navigator from 0 – 100 km/h in about 5.3 seconds. These were muscle car times about 20 years ago, coming from a V8. There’s 440 horsepower and a whopping 510 lb-ft of torque which is enough for almost any kind of driving you can throw at the Navigator.
One of the issues when driving any large vehicle – car, truck, or SUV – is parking and maneuverability. Some drivers will be hesitant when going for a grocery run; to their amazement, they will find that the Navigator handles very well in tight spaces. Steering is precise and soft. And with the amount of safety and camera systems, parking in even somewhat tighter spots, like a busy hockey arena lot, isn’t as difficult as one would expect.
Where the Navigator really shines is on longer trips. The ride is smooth and comfortable and even potholes don’t make much of a dent to passengers’ comfort. The automatic transmission sends appropriate amounts of power to a 4×4 drivetrain. We had the chance to take Navigator on a few dirt roads and again, handling and ride quality were superb. The cabin is well insulated and much of the road and engine noise is kept to a minimum. Long drives are definitely relaxed and enjoyable.
Luxury in the 80’s vehicles meant AC, power windows and locks, a DVD player and a power sunroof. Luxury in today’s vehicles means digital connectivity, massage seats with heating and cooling functions, and of course a plethora of goodies to make any ride comfortable. The Navigator has it all, and much more. The Reserve test vehicle had individual leg controls for front passengers; some may never need this option, but for longer rides, adjusting leg cushions independently does help. As expected, the Navigator’s interior boasts high quality materials, including premium leather upholstery, genuine wood accents and brushed aluminum or chrome trim. The center infotainment screen is crisp and sharp and provides all information via various menus. I do like that Lincoln has kept many physical buttons rather than relying solely on a touchscreen.
And in today’s luxury car world, one climate zone would be laughed at. Our test vehicle had tri-zone climate control, so all passengers are comfortable. In a world when adults run cooler and kids warmer, the more climate zones, the better. If my kids had the option, they’d want individual climate zones for each seat.
The 2024 Lincoln Navigator features their BlueCruise system. By using GPS and navigation, this beast allows for complete hands-free driving along about 210,000 km pre-mapped highways across North America. While more available in the Greater Toronto area, I did have the chance to set it along certain routes in Vancouver. It performs quite well and will disengage if road conditions become challenging, the driver isn’t paying attention, or you leave the pre-mapped road. I do wish it had the ability to change lanes like you can using GMC’s Super Cruise system. The manufacturer does suggest that this feature will most likely be included in the next software update.
For over 30 years, the Navigator’s main competitor has been the Cadillac Escalade, and it’s still the case today. Yes, there are some others that can be compared, like the Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX600, BMW X7 or even the Mercedes GLS, it’s still Lincoln vs Cadillac for most. The Escalade does have sharper lines, more cargo room and more engine options; but when compared to the standard Cadillac V8, the Navigator is quicker while being more fuel efficient. I would also say the Navigator’s interior is better and most things are easier to use.
Those in the market for a large SUV, whether for a bigger family or to tow bigger items, the Lincoln Navigator delivers. Although not much has changed since 2018, this vehicle still looks contemporary and boasts a tonne of features and options for those who desire luxury in a big vehicle. Oh, and if you need even more space, the Reserve L, which adds an additional 12” of cargo space.
The 2024 Lincoln Navigator Reserve starts at $118,500.
