2018 Lincoln Navigator Luxury SUV Review: The 3 Row SUV That You’ll Never Want to Leave

Amazing. Seriously amazing.

I love big trucks as much as the next girl. They give you capability, security and they (should) have storage so you don’t need to constantly rotate things through your garage or mud room. They also should enhance family time, fostering conversation, singing or simply, downtime. And, they should add efficiency to your errands and journeys.

The newly redesigned 2018 Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV does all that with a stylish, elegant flair. Yes, most large trucks have a renewed sense of style these days. The Navigator takes design to another level.

Further Reading: Thinking an older Navigator is the right choice? This is what we thought on our test drive 

Second row leg room is more than ample: Photo: Scotty Reiss

Who This Car is For

Further Reading: Not sure a large SUV is right for you? Here’s what we thought of the Lincoln MKX

What This Car Costs

This is a luxury SUV after all, so even the base model is well equipped. Here is how costs break down:

Related: The Ultimate Car Seat Challenge — Which 3 Row SUVs are the Best for Child Car Seats?

First Things First: A Brilliant Home for My Handbag

I can’t tell you how much I LOVE THIS. Seriously love. The center console—gorgeous in its own right for an innovative design capped by luscious details— is cantilevered into the center space from its base between the front seats. At the end it curves and tilts to make controls easy to see and reach. And underneath is tons of glorious space and a three-compartment tray.

From the driver’s seat I could slide my handbag into the space where it sat neatly, easy to reach but out of the way. I could reach in and grab my wallet when I needed to, and the location was so sublime I wasn’t afraid to leave it there when I ran into the store for milk. I would never leave my handbag on the passenger seat when running into a store. That’s just an invitation for a break in.

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The trays under the console are also great for a laptop, phones or other small gear, as is the center console, which wasn’t big enough for my handbag but my laptop fit just fine.

For the handbag space alone I love this car. But it does so much more. So much. So much so that I made this little video, but keep reading for all the details:

Form + Function = Oh Yes PLEASE!!!

I never wanted to get out of this car. Ever. The whole week I test drove it I felt like I was where I’m supposed to be: comfortable, cared for and uncompromising with everything I need at at my fingertips. That is how life in the car should be. Everything was thought of including:

Related: 10 Full Size 3-Row Luxury SUVs to Make You Feel Like a Boss Babe

Technology Makes Managing This Large SUV Easy and Intuitive

In a car this size anything that makes it easier to manage is a must. It’s not easy to park—I regularly found myself parking at the outskirts of the parking lot to ensure plenty of space.

In a particularly tight parking garage I found the one ideal space at the corner of the lot that was easy to get in and out of. As I was leaving I noticed another Lincoln Navigator driver eying the spot; as soon as I pulled out she took it. We gotta stick together!

At another parking lot I put the auto park feature to work and amazingly, the system pulled the Navigator into a space I would have passed by; the space looked tight but the Navigator was able to pull into it perfectly.

This is the technology I found important while driving the Navigator:

Further reading: Should you skip the top of the line sound system? What you might be missing!  

Driving This Beast: Tech Helps You Manage the Road

Driving a car this large can be a challenge. This handsome hunk is 6’3”, a measure you need to know. Remember that parking garage I mentioned? Its clearance is 6’10” and as I pulled in I feared we might get stuck. Luckily we just made it, but I wish I’d thought to look up the Navigator’s height before I ventured into the garage.

The rest of our test drive proved that the Navigator’s size wasn’t as much a challenge as I thought it would be. This is truly a large car, but its assistance systems made driving it much easier. They include:

The Biggest Surprise? A Small(ish) Engine Means Better MPG

Probably the biggest surprise was the engine: the 3.5 L twin turbo V6 engine was powerful (450 horsepower) and ample. I assumed a car this large would have a V8, but then noticed I was getting nearly 19MPG in the city. As with many cars these days, Lincoln has been able to incorporate a smaller turbo V6 engine and gain some fuel benefits. I got between 18 and 19 MPG during my test drive of mostly city driving. That was impressive, especially considering I’m used to getting 20MPG in the city in my little sedan.

I’ve Been Waiting For This SUV and It Didn’t Disappoint

A few years ago Ford retooled itself, focusing resources and talent on its designs, features and technology. Lincoln ambled along as the silent sister in the family, incorporating great features and competitive prices. Matthew McConaughey’s commercials helped us to see that.

However, Lincoln was due for time in the spotlight, and this is it. The Navigator is designed to capture the hearts and passions of its owners, not just with over the top luxury but, but with design and details that will truly make you love your time in the car.

What We Loved

What You Need to Know

What We Listened to in the Lincoln Navigator

This large SUV has room for a crew, and when you have that many people together, singing is a great way to spend your time. The Revel sound system enhances that even more. This is what we listened to in the Lincoln Navigator.



Disclosure: The Lincoln Navigator was provided for this review; all opinions are my own.

Journalist, entrepreneur and mom. Expertise includes new cars, family cars, 3-row SUVs, child passenger car seats and automotive careers ... More about Scotty Reiss
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