2018 Lincoln Navigator Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New For 2018
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator received a complete overhaul this year. This is the first major upgrade that the Navigator has received in the last ten years. The interior is more luxurious than ever. The drive-train has been upgraded and the SUV is now about 200 lbs. lighter.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Lincoln Navigator – The Pros
1. Bold New Exterior Design
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator exudes class and style both inside and out. If you want to make an impression on the road or anywhere you go, the Navigator is a good way to do so. The new design of the exterior is sleek and sophisticated. The overly-large grill still gives it a rugged edge that is too-often missing on luxury SUVs.
2. Powerful Engine
The engine for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator is a power house. The 3.5-liter V-6 is turbocharged to produce an impressive 450 hp. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator is a leader in its class when it comes to towing capacity and hauling cargo.
3. Great Performance
The powerful turbocharged V-6 helps the Navigator to be an excellent performer on or off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission does its job well. In fact, you will barely feel the shifts. This excellent transmission leads to better fuel economy and faster acceleration. Steering, handling and braking are all fantastic, making for a fun driving experience.
4. Good Towing Capacity
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has a higher towing capacity than many SUVs in its class and price range. Not only is it luxury transportation, it's a functional, heavy-duty worker as well. The Navigator can handle a load of up to 8,700 lbs.
5. Excellent Interior
The fit and finish of the interior is of the highest quality. Every material used within the interior is high-quality as well. The overall design of the interior is beautiful and practical. There is plenty of space for all seven passengers to be comfortable.
All of the controls are conveniently located. The dashboard and console are elegant and easy to reach. The seats are extremely comfortable and luxurious. The Navigator has a top-notch interior in every way.
6. Quiet Interior
A smooth engine, solid suspension system and good sound insulation are all present in the Navigator. This leads to one quiet ride. Stepping inside of the Navigator is like getting into a fancy office. Everything is stylish and attractive and the outside world melts away. Lincoln made a quiet interior a priority and it pays off.
7. Good Ride Quality
The seats are comfortable. There is no noise from the wind or road. Vibrations from the engine are non-existent. Bumps from the road cannot be felt. This is an extremely smooth and comfortable ride.
8. Updated Infotainment System
With their major updates this year, Lincoln has also upgraded the infotainment system. The Sync 3 infotainment system comes standard in all models. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered as well as WiFi hotspot service.
The touchscreen interface is massive with excellent graphics capabilities. Voice commands can control many of the functions. Twenty premium speakers make for an awesome sound-system experience. You can even opt for a rear-seats entertainment center with 10" screens.
9. Nice Safety Features
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has a lot of great safety features. A heads-up display and 360 degree cameras help you with backing up and viewing blind-spots. You can sync a smartphone with the vehicle so that authorities are notified when you have a collision. There are ample amounts of airbags everywhere there should be. Lane assist, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control are all here as well.
10. Lots of Cargo Space
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has some of the most cargo space in its class. Standard models get an impressive 103.3 cu. ft. of storage. There are also numerous small-storage compartments throughout the interior.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Lincoln Navigator – The Cons
1. This is a Large Vehicle
This kind of goes with the territory when it comes to SUVs. This is a full size and its about as big as it gets in this class. Larger vehicles are not always for everyone. Even truck and SUV lovers might fight driving this one a bit cumbersome. Some drivers may be better off with a luxury crossover if you don't need all of the cargo space and room for 7-8 people.
2. No V-8 Option
This is a minor gripe, but many will prefer the option of a V-8 engine for a vehicle of this size. Still, the V-6 with its 450 hp should be suitable for the needs of most drivers.
3. The Expensive Sticker Price
All of this power, size and luxury comes at a cost. The Lincoln Navigator isn't cheap. It's not the most expensive luxury SUV, but it's not far from the top when it comes to cost.
How it Stacks up to the Competition
The main competition for the Lincoln Navigator comes from the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Long has the Cadillac been considered the king of luxury in the SUV market. This year, the Navigator has caught up to it in most categories. The Escalade has a V-8, but the Navigator's turbo V-6 produces more power. The Navigator is now every bit the luxury vehicle on the inside too. The only way in which the Cadillac wins is in name-brand reputation.
The Infiniti QX80 is a bit cheaper than the Navigator. The Navigator beats it out in power and standard safety features. The Mercedes has ever-so-slightly more luxury appointments in the interior. It has comparable cargo space, but not as much power.
Conclusion
When it comes to full-sized, luxury SUVs, the Lincoln Navigator has long been at the top of the list. In previous years, it was slightly edged out by the Cadillac and perhaps one or two other models. The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has a new style and is now every bit as good as the top of this class. If you need this much cargo and passenger space, the Navigator delivers and with plenty of style and comfort.
