I remember the late 1990s, when the original Lincoln Navigator hit the scene. It was bold and looked great. I wanted one. But over the years, it lost its way with an odd style, and there were stronger large luxury SUVs competitors. So as the 2020 Navigator showed up, it was déjà vu for me. Its bold style and size stand out, signaling this is a top-notch luxury ride again.
The Black Label is the ultimate in the Navigator line with a very luxurious interior. The materials, fit and finish are top-notch. The interior has some of the more comfortable seats for cruising. With 30-way active motion, the front seats are sure to have a comfortable position. The massage doesn’t hurt either!
The Navigator is huge. Those riding in the second row can stretch out and enjoy comfortable captain’s chairs. Even the third row is good for adults. There is also decent space for storage when all three rows are in use.
I thought the weak link would be a V6 engine in a nearly six-figure ride, but after a few minutes behind the wheel, this is no weak six. A 450hp twin turbo V6 that can haul this large SUV with ease. It can even tow nearly 9,000 pounds, so it can work too. The ride is a mostly-hushed affair, with little noise getting into the cabin.
The Navigator rides like a big SUV and it takes a few minutes to adapt to the size. But it doesn’t beat you up over the bumps thanks to an adaptive suspension that does wonders.
Cost: $96,770; as tested $98,485
MPG: 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway; I managed 17.7 mpg in 289 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: 360-degree camera with front and rear wash; enhanced active park assist; adaptive cruise control with stop and go; lane keeping; blind spot detection with CTA and trailer coverage; personal safety system; pre-collision assist; Lincoln co-pilot 360; dynamic brake support
Options: $420 cargo convenience package
Things to know: The Navigator Black Label delivers a top-notch three-row luxury SUV with space, technology and a high-quality interior that boasts the goods.
Pros:
• Big on style, this Navigator stands out in the crowd.
• The interior spoils you with a luxury look and feel, especially with the Black Label model.
• The twin turbo V6 packs plenty of power.
Cons:
• Nearly six-figure price tag.
• The vehicle’s sheer size can be daunting.
• Not sure I would want to venture off-road with this big 4×4 SUV.
