• Auto123 tests the 2024 Lincoln Navigator.
It’s not often that you come across a living legend, whether in sport, music or automobiles. The Lincoln Navigator, it must be admitted, is a true legend. Launched before the Cadillac Escalade, it was the first American luxury SUV on the market.
The Navigator has carved out a place for itself in popular culture, becoming one of the most iconic names in luxury.
Lincoln Navigator 2024 – what’s new?
Before a complete overhaul planned for 2025, the 2024 model is mainly enriched with Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology.
Design du Lincoln Navigator 2024 – 7.0/10
The Navigator does not have the same presence as the Escalade. The latter’s grille is more imposing and its lines, particularly at the windows and bumpers, are more angular, giving it a more assertive appearance. However, the Navigator stands out for the elegant design of its rims, particularly with the 22 inches of our test model, included in the Monochromatic package. Additionally, the full-length taillight bar is a Lincoln styling signature.
The Monochromatic package, although its name is somewhat strange, offers a more harmonious aesthetic by painting the mirrors and elements of the front fascia the same color as the body. However, at $5,000, its price seems high.
The interior
The tester’s interior, in stark contrast to the pristine white exterior, sports ebony black leather seats accented by reddish-brown wood inserts and chrome finishes framing the air vents and center console.
Interior brightness is subtly increased by the speaker grilles, elegantly finished in silver, integrated into the Revel Ultima audio system. This optional system has 28 speakers, compared to 14 for the standard version, and offers exceptionally clear sound quality.
The front seats are distinguished by their almost infinite adjustment capacity—30 possible configurations—managed via a dedicated menu in the infotainment system. The design of the cushions and side bolsters evokes the comfort of first-class cabins, although we noted slight tension on the leather at the ends of the seats, causing creases.
The multitude of adjustments is a blessing, although it can sometimes take a while to find the ideal position. However, once adjusted, these seats do not necessarily offer greater comfort than less customizable seats from brands like Volvo or Lexus.
The second-row seats, while less complex in terms of adjustments, include a massage option and a center console equipped with a digital screen for media management, as well as heating and air conditioning controls. This console can be removed to make way for a central seat or free space as needed.
The third row, less suitable for adults, still remains spacious and is equipped with electrically adjustable backrests, cup holders and two USB ports. Access to this row is conditioned by the configuration of the second row; In our model, equipped with the center console, you had to maneuver behind the second row seats.
For loading, the Navigator offers two options: fully opening the tailgate or opening the rear window only, making it easier to load bulky objects.
La technologie du Lincoln Navigator 2024 – 8.0/10
Moving from careful aesthetics to technological innovation, the Navigator dashboard illustrates the fusion between tradition and modernity. It includes a 12-inch screen dedicated to the driver, supplemented by a head-up display, and a 13.2-inch central navigation screen. The latter offers wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated into the SYNC 4 multimedia system, renowned for its user interface among the most intuitive on the market.
However, despite its many qualities, the interface design can seem somewhat conventional, reminiscent of less prestigious vehicles like the Ford Expedition. This feeling of familiarity is tempered by the possibility of controlling the climate control via the touch screen or, for purists, via physical buttons, thus preserving a link with traditional controls.
-Just above these controls, additional buttons manage the transmission, providing a clean interface that takes some getting used to but, once mastered, contributes to a clear, modern driving environment.
The Revel audio system, with its speakers perfectly integrated into the body panels, produces exceptional sound quality, enriching each journey with impeccable acoustic nuances.
Finally, the Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving system illustrates the potential of modern technology by enabling hands-free driving on specially designated roads. With more than 130,000 miles of roads covered in the United States and Canada, this system skillfully manages the vehicle’s trajectory and distance, even around curves, providing a driving experience that is both advanced and safe. Although promising, Blue Cruise remains a first-generation technology at Lincoln and shows particular sensitivity in tight corners, a characteristic that will undoubtedly be refined in future versions.
Motorisation du Lincoln Navigator 2024 – 8.5/10
After exploring the technological dimensions of this modern-day colossus, the discussion inevitably turns to the brute force under the hood. The 2024 Lincoln Navigator is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that releases 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a configuration that ensures smooth power transmission, even for a vehicle weighing almost 5,800 pounds.
The Navigator’s performance is all the more impressive given its stature; it displays surprising agility, moving with an ease that defies its generous dimensions. Despite the absence of a more thirsty V8 engine, consumption remains reasonable for its category, standing at just over 15.0 liters/100 km during varied use over a week. This level of consumption highlights how effectively Lincoln has managed to balance power and performance in such a luxurious package.
Driving Lincoln Navigator 2024 – 7.5/10
After the engine capabilities of the 2024 Lincoln Navigator, our attention now turns to its driving dynamics. The Navigator is equipped with adaptive dampers rather than air suspension, allowing it to dynamically adapt to road irregularities. These shock absorbers adjust their stiffness depending on the conditions, providing appreciable comfort on smooth surfaces and small irregularities.
However, in more demanding road conditions, where imperfections become more pronounced, the Navigator’s body-on-frame chassis may be less comfortable. The shaking becomes more noticeable as the quality of the coating deteriorates, sometimes reminiscent of the behavior of a Ford Expedition in similar situations.
The Navigator offers several driving modes, including an “Excite” mode that increases steering responsiveness and adds weight to the steering, providing a more engaging experience. Although this may seem unusual for a vehicle of this stature, this adjustment contributes to more precise driving. Most of the time, however, ‘Normal’ and ‘Conserve’ modes are more appropriate, aligned with the luxurious nature and overall comfort expected of an SUV of this stature.
2024 Lincoln Navigator Canadian Prices
- – Navigator Reserve 2024 : 109 154 $
- – Navigator Reserve L 2024 : 112 826 $
Some of your questions about the 2024 Lincoln Navigator
Is there just one body style?
There’s also a long-wheelbase Reserve L version, but that only affects cargo space, which increases from 2925 liters (with the second and third rows folded) to 3403 liters. The number of seats remains unchanged in the standard wheelbase and long wheelbase versions.
Can I tow with my Navigator?
Of course yes! You can tow up to 3765 kg with the short wheelbase version and 3674 kg with the long wheelbase version. You can also opt for a heavy-duty towing package that adds Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, a trailer brake controller, a Class IV hitch with 4- and 7-pin connectors, front tow hooks and much more.
The final word
With the Navigator, it’s all about the onboard experience. Lincoln focused on important aspects such as the quality of materials used, noise reduction, space and most technologies. Driving the Navigator really feels like a quality vehicle, and handling issues may be on the verge of disappearing thanks to an air suspension system.
All this has to be paid for. Our tester, equipped with a fancy audio system, 30-way adjustable seats, nifty center console and so on, cost nearly $130,000 before delivery, putting us in heady territory occupied mostly by the Germans.
You could argue that the Navigator’s qualities do justice to its price, but the fact that it doesn’t drive all that differently from the Expedition (a vehicle that benefits from some rather posh finishes itself) and the future prospects give food for thought.
Ultimately, though, this Navigator lives up to its legend, the branding it’s earned over the years, and for many, it’s worth it.
Competitors for the 2024 Lincoln Navigator
- – Audi Q7
- – BMW X7
- – Cadillac Escalade
- – Infiniti QX80
- – Jeep Wagoneer
- – Mercedes-Benz GLS 580
Original content from auto123.
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