First released in 1998, the Lincoln Navigator is a formidable SUV that continues Lincoln’s streak of delivering excellent luxury SUVs. Lincoln has spent most of its time as a subsidiary of Ford locked in a constant battle with GM-owned Cadillac. Their positions as the leaders of the luxury car market in North America has made the competition increasingly fierce — and the 2020 year is no exception.
The 2020 Navigator, slated to release in November 2019, has been upgraded with several standard convenience features and streamlined for the customer’s benefit.
Trims
- Standard: $75,825
- Reserve: $81,365
- Black Label: $96,770
Performance Specs
The Navigator’s powertrain remains unchanged for the 2020 year. In this era of endless automotive customization, there are some who may be put off by the Navigator’s single powertrain set-up. However, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter engine will soothe those concerns with a staggering 450-horsepower. This single-engine is mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission that shifts with ease and poise.
Although the adaptive suspension doesn’t come standard, it provides a substantial advantage over the Standard trim by anticipating unsteady roads and adjusting the vehicle’s height ahead of time. Since the Navigator is a heavy vehicle, this is a must-have for die-hard off-roaders. This feature also makes use of the Lincoln Drive Mode system, allowing the driver to shift into a variety of several drive modes each designed for specific road conditions. In particular, the Slow Climb drive mode is only available on 4×4 models sold with the Heavy Duty Tow Package.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Lincoln Navigator is pending release. As such, there is no current information available for this sturdy SUV’s gas mileage numbers. With that said, given the identical powertrain, it’s a safe assumption that they’re fairly similar to the 2019 edition.
Unfortunately, fuel economy is the one area where the Navigator’s power and size can be a disadvantage. Take note that you’ll only be getting 16 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway. These numbers are relatively low numbers compared to some of the hybrids and electric motors available for car enthusiasts today.
The 2020 Navigator is a vehicle designed for luxury and performance, so if that’s what you’re looking for, look no further. But if you’re concerned about rising gas prices or drive long distances often, you might want to invest in a more efficient SUV.
Styling
It’s apparent from a single glance at the well-crafted frame and modern styling that the Navigator is a luxury vehicle. Wide and imposing, this SUV draws eyes wherever it goes. It’s seen minor alterations to the exterior for aerodynamics and efficiency, but none that will be glaring to a Lincoln enthusiast.
The Reserve trim comes with a Monochrome Package option that removes the chroming along with the vehicle’s grill and siding and replaces it with painted portions mirroring the rest of the body’s color. This package will be available in Pristine White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black.
As in the 2019 model, available upgrades like an LED-lit Lincoln logo embedded in the wide grille or the Tiered Cargo Management System lend more customization to the Navigator.
The Navigator is a sizable SUV, so it only follows that the interior would be impressively spacious. The 2020 Navigator seats as many as seven comfortably with three rows of power-adjustable seats.
One of the many upgrades to this new Navigator comes in the form of standard ventilated and heated front seats. Additionally, the available Perfect Position Seats enhance the front row further by making the seats conform to the driver and passenger’s bodies, cradling the lower back and shoulders for a soothing ride. Plus, the legroom in the middle seats is some of the best in the class, even by the standards of a luxury SUV.
Infotainment and Safety Features
In contrast, the newly standard options on the 2020 Lincoln Navigator make it one of the year’s most appealing SUVs. Both driver convenience and driver safety were clearly a major priority for the 2020 season.
The Navigator’s standard 10-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen is paired with built-in navigation, 14 speakers, a Wi-Fi hotspot and satellite radio. It’s also compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for more personalized musical choices. The menus are simple to learn and designed to be easy for any driver to navigate.
Wireless phone charging is a new standard feature. This feature should cut down on the annoying cords and wires that often crisscross the front seat when multiple passengers are charging their phones.
Through the Lincoln Way app, you can use your phone to unlock the 2020 Navigator. This will reduce the necessity for jangling keys by allowing you to unlock and drive your Navigator without fussing with a fob.
The Lincoln CoPilot360 has been added as a standard safety package. It compiles an assortment of driver assistance features that monitor the driver’s blind spots, automatically activates the headlights and keeps you in your lane with continuous monitoring.
The 2019 Lincoln Navigator was a very safe SUV, but these additions take that safety to the next level.
As with efficiency, we’ll have to use the 2019 crash tests to evaluate the relative safety of the 2020 model. Luckily, the 2019 Lincoln Navigator was a stellar performer. In fact, the NHSTA gave the Lincoln Navigator an overall score of five stars. It only failed to achieve the perfect five-star rating in a single area — the rollover crash test.
Closing Thoughts
Lincoln’s rivalry with Cadillac is an old one, but this is one year when their advantage seems readily apparent. The 2020 Navigator is a stylish, powerful vehicle with so many standard features that even the base trim is a stand-out option in the luxury SUV class.
Contact your local Lincoln dealership today to make sure that you’re one of the first to enjoy the Navigator’s smooth ride and impeccably safe cabin.