2015 Lincoln Navigator First Drive

by Lyndon Bell

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September 15, 2014

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7 min. Reading Time

2015 lincoln navigator

If you’re somebody swears by “keeping it real”, the Lincoln Navigator is as real as it gets in the world of full-size American luxury SUVs. The original, Navigator was first to market and was immediately embraced by the arbiters of cool. Upon its debut, Lincoln’s Navigator was the one to have back in 1997, when it went on sale as a 1998 model.

Yep. the ‘Gator ruled the roost huge—until Cadillac’s Escalade came along and displaced it. From a high of almost 44,000 units sold in 1998, the Lincoln’s numbers have steadily dwindled. Since 2009, the Navigator has struggled to surpass 8,000 units annually, with a high of just over 8,600 sold in 2013. Meanwhile, Cadillac moved just over 22,500 Escalades the same year (admittedly down significantly from an all-time high of 62,250 units in 2004).

Clearly, the market for the American full-size luxury SUV is down from its once lofty peaks, but the Cadillac still outsells the Lincoln at a rate of just under three to one. Clearly, Lincoln needs a hit from this redesigned 2015 Navigator.

The good news is this version is better in many ways than the model it replaces.

But is better good enough?

Models And Prices

For 2015, the standard wheelbase version of Lincoln’s Navigator will start at $61,480, while the long wheelbase Navigator L will command a base price of $64,645. Standard exterior gear for both includes xenon headlights, foglights, a heavy-duty towing package, front and rear parking sensor arrays, automatic windshield wipers, darkened privacy glass, a power-actuated liftgate, and power-extending running boards.

Standard interior features include keyless entry and push-button start, a dual-zone automatic climate control system with auxiliary controls for the rear seating positions, an electrically-operated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats, heated captain's chairs, and a power-folding 60/40-split third-row bench—all upholstered in leather. There’s also a power-adjustable pedal set and memory settings for the driver.

The Navigator’s comfort and convenience kit also includes an auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, a 110-volt AC power outlet, voice command, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, a rearview camera and monitor, navigation, an eight-inch touchscreen interface, and a 14-speaker surround audio system supporting HD radio, satellite radio, a USB/iPod input interface, and an auxiliary audio port.

The upscale Reserve package adds 22-inch wheels, an adjustable suspension system (although the controls for it are buried in the touchscreen, rather than presented as a button on the center console, so if you didn’t know the Navigator had it, you’d probably never find it) two-tone exterior paint, more leather for the interior, and fine Zincote wood trim usually found in yachts, musical instruments, and fine cabinetry.

Options include rear-seat video entertainment, a second-row center console, and a sunroof.

Design

Seen in profile, you’ll be forgiven for thinking there’s nothing really new about the 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The changes to the sides of the SUV are quite subtle. There’s less chrome now for a more upscale look, and 20-inch wheels are standard equipment. If you opt for the Lincoln’s Reserve package, your ‘Gator will roll on 22’s. In our estimation, it’s the way to go, as they fill the big SUV’s wheel wells quite nicely.

The most dramatic changes are at the front and the rear of Lincoln’s flagship SUV. Incorporating a new engine cover, the front end is more rounded, and the winged grille treatment fronting all other contemporary Lincoln models has been grafted onto the Navigator. The headlights are designed to blend with the grille to serve as the tips of the wings. Accent lighting within the headlight array continues the grille’s flow.

The rear view is reworked as well. The tailgate is power actuated and a LED taillamp bar runs the width of the vehicle, just as you’ll find on the other models in the Lincoln lineup. The lower section of the tailgate is resculpted, the exhaust tip is finished in chrome and the Lincoln script adorning the tailgate is rendered more prominently.

Comfort and Cargo

Aside from assuaging egos, one of the chief reasons people buy full-size SUVs is for the comfort they afford their occupants. In this regard, the new Navigator is quite successful, as it houses three rows of the most comfortable seating we’ve ever experienced in a full-size luxury SUV. Configurable to seat up to eight, the Navigator’s third row is relatively easily accessible, and an average-sized adult can ride in it quite comfortably.

An optional center console for the second row of seats, paired with a set of captain’s chairs adds a distinctive touch to the interior of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator. Cupholders and storage bins abound, although we did find the narrow door pockets in the front doors of the new Navigator to be somewhat lacking. The glove box is fairly generous though, and the center console between the front seats offers considerable storage capacity.

The third row is configured to fold flat at the touch of a button to increase cargo capacity. With both the second and third rows folded, the short wheelbase version of the Lincoln will carry some 103.3 cubic feet of cargo. Fold only the third row and you’ll manage 54.4 cubic feet, and with the third row deployed you’ll have 18.1 cubic feet available. The numbers for the long wheelbase version of the Navigator are 128.2, 86.3, and 42.6 respectively. Properly equipped, the 2015 Navigator will tow up to 9,000 pounds.

Features and Controls

One thing Lincoln has long had going for it is the beauty of its interior treatments. We say this every time we write about a Lincoln product, and it is true every time—Lincoln models really do boast the nicest interiors of all American automobiles.

The driving position is first rate, and we really appreciate Lincoln going back to dials for the macro functions of the audio system. While MyLincolnTouch is a pretty slick system, some things just need to be accomplished with a dial, among them volume adjustments and station tuning.

Instrumentation is straightforward and readily decipherable. You will spend a fair amount of time gaining familiarity with the functions of the touchscreen, but it has a specific logic to it, and you’ll acclimate readily. We do wish the product planners had specified the controls for the adjustable suspension system get a button rather than a menu item in the touchscreen, but overall we found the Navigator’s controls strategy quite sound. The voice command system was accurate, if not a bit redundant in terms of the confirmations it requires before enacting a command.

Safety and Ratings

Standard safety kit includes traction control, skid control, roll stabilization, and six airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags. Restraint systems also include safety belt pretensioners, and front passenger detection.

The Navigator features anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring, Lincoln’s SOS post crash alert system, front and rear proximity sensor arrays, hill start assist, hill descent control, a rear view camera, and puddle lamps to illuminate the ground outside the Navigator’s front doors. Lincoln’s MyKey system enables owners to preset maximum speed and stereo volume before handing the Navigator over to kids, or another driver.

Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are optional.

While the 2015 Lincoln Navigator has yet to have its NHTSA safety ratings posted, the 2014 model scored four stars out of five in NHTSA crash tests, earning four in frontal tests, five in side tests, and four in rollover tests for all-wheel drive models—but only three in rollover tests for rear-drive models.

Engine and Fuel Economy

Powering both Navigator and Navigator L is a twin-turbocharged direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 producing 380 horsepower and 460 ft-lbs of torque at 2,750 rpm. Whether configured with rear- or four-wheel drive, power is transmitted from the engine to the wheels by way of a six-speed automatic transmission.

This marks the first time Navigator is offered without a V8 engine, but honestly, it ain’t no great loss. The V6 makes great torque right off of throttle tip-in and maximum torque is there at just under 2,800 rpm. Further, the V6 can tow up to 9,000 pounds (8,600 with four-wheel drive).

Fuel economy for the standard wheelbase 2015 Lincoln Navigator is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city, 22 on the highway, and 18 combined with rear-wheel drive, while the four-wheel drive Navigator is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 19 on the highway, and 16 combined. Long wheelbase rear-wheel drive Navigators return 15 in the city, 20 on the highway, and 17 combined. Navigator L with four-wheel drive is rated at 15 city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

Driving Impressions

Climbing aboard is made easier thanks to the auto-deploying running boards. Once you’re all up and in it, comfort is paramount. Over a full day of driving we found the seats to be very comfortable and highly adept at holding us in place. Often leather upholstery can permit passengers to slide around, but the bolstering sculpted into the 2015 Navigator’s front four seats does an excellent job of keeping everybody stay put.

Comfortable, powerful, and smooth riding, the 2015 Lincoln Navigator is every inch a luxurious automobile in terms of its road manners. Reasonably agile for its size, the Navigator handles easily in traffic, and the 460 ft-lbs of torque motivate the big SUV with remarkable briskness. If you were never told, you’d have no idea the engine is a six rather than an eight.

The electric power steering system is quite accurate and provides nice assist at higher speeds, while delivering considerable ease in parking lots and the like. The brakes are strong and reassuring, though we never really stressed them heavily during our test drive, which involved only minimal elevation changes. That said, we have no reason to believe the braking system won’t perform strongly when called upon to do so.

The Navigator is at its best on the highway, where it flows along with exceptional smoothness and stability. On twisty roads we noted considerable body roll, but the Lincoln negotiated turns with considerable aplomb, considering its size and weight.

Final Thoughts

Still, the nagging question remains; has Lincoln put the Navigator back in the hunt? After all, Cadillac just introduced an all-new Escalade for 2015, while the 2015 Navigator can best be described as a heavy refresh.

From where we’re sitting, the Escalade pretty much owns the market still, because of its perceived cool factor. Lincoln would have to come up with something with an absolutely amazing look to unseat the Escalade. The Cadillac now owns the hearts and minds of the arbiters of cool.

With that said, a definite opportunity exists for the Navigator in terms of exclusivity. While there is a certain stigma attached to the Lincoln name (most people think of Lincoln as sounding old—despite the fact Cadillac is the older of the two brands). The fact you’re likely to see far more Escalades on the road than Navigators means the Navigator driver won’t see himself or herself coming and going the way the Cadillac driver will.

Further, if you took an example of the 2015 Navigator, dressed it in black, and put a truly distinctive wheel set on it, you’d have something pretty sharp in a completely different fashion from the Escalade. But if Lincoln’s marketing team is harboring any hopes of catching up to the Caddy this year, they might want to save themselves some disappointment. It isn’t going to happen with this iteration of the Navigator.

Navigator needs all-new styling; it looks too much like the original from 18 years ago. Meanwhile the look of the Escalade has changed fourl times since it was introduced