Styling, luxury appointments separate Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(June 29, 2015) Are there many, if any, differences between the Expedition King Ranch tested earlier this year and the new Lincoln Navigator? Except for the front and rear clips, various external trim, the interior and a few other parts, these are the same vehicle. The body architecture is the same , the frame is the same, the powertrain is the same, the … Okay, you get the idea.


The things that are different are appreciably different, however. The first is the styling which, to my eyes, is better resolved on the Lincoln than on the rather dowdy looking Ford. Another is the interior, which is more luxurious and inviting than the already high level of the King Ranch Expedition tested earlier.

Then there’s the longer wheelbase of the Navigator L. Yes, you can order the Expedition with an extra 12 inches between the wheels, but the luxury of extra leg room feels amplified in the Navigator’s plush surroundings. Also, ordering Equipment Group 101A ($7,150) adds upgraded premium leather seats, Ziricote wood appliqués, 22-in. rims, upgraded floor mats, a light headliner, a two-tone exterior with Tuxedo Black power running boards and lower body trim, and Lincoln Drive Control.

This last item gives the Navigator continuously adjustable damping, though with a totally ludicrous ability to switch between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes. This is a Lincoln, adjustment should be automatic and based on how the vehicle is being driven, not via a hard-to-enable, driver switchable app.

The big new for 2016, other than the styling and equipment upgrades, is the abandonment of any powertrain other than a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 mated to a six-speed automatic. The EPA rates this combination at 15 city/19 highway/16 combined in long-wheelbase 4x4 trim, and I was able to coax 17 mpg out of the beast with minimal highway driving. And while some may turn their noses up at the loss of a couple of cylinders, the fact remains that the 380 hp/460 lb.-ft. of torque V6 is quieter, more powerful and more efficient than any V8 that ever sat under the hood of a Navigator.

On the inside, most of the work was spent in the front cabin. The instrument panel, seats, console and trim are all improved, and the sound deadening has been increased. It is appreciably quieter in the cabin, and this adds to the air of luxury. Unfortunately, like the Expedition, the second and third row seats are from the park bench school of design, which is understandable in that the pair have to fold flat to carry cargo as well as passengers. Still, they could look better.

This is a credible update to a vehicle that is near the end of its lifecycle. In most every way, the engineers have made this a better SUV than its predecessor. However, the competition has moved forward while Lincoln continues to upgrade a platform that is close to its Sell By date.

With a base price of $67,220 and an as-tested price of $75,065, the Navigator L is up against much newer, more fashionable and better-equipped competitors. It’s uncertain how long this update can keep buyers interested. A new Navigator is needed soon.

The Virtual Driver