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2015 Lincoln Navigator: Living Large Featured

Posted On Thursday, 08 January 2015 19:00 Written by
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2015 Lincoln Navigator 2015 Lincoln Navigator Photo courtesy of Lincoln

Living large.

That’s the best description, both literally and figuratively, of what it’s like to be the driver of a 2015 Lincoln Navigator.

Lincoln’s lineup of vehicles all go by three letter codes, except for one that can’t be contained by such small nomenclature -- the Navigator, their full-size luxury SUV offering which demands a full-size name, because everything about it is big.

I recently drove a 2015 Navigator, which has has its exterior redesigned in the front and rear since the 2014 model, and I’m back with a full report.

LOOKS

I can’t say this enough -- this is one big machine (with a 119-inch wheelbase) -- somewhat tank-like, but in an elegant way.??At one point during my week with the Navigator, i found myself next to a Corvette that was barely off the ground, and it looked like a toy compared to my vehicle. It literally could have fit underneath the Navigator.

One downside of this super-size ride is that parking the car is often difficult; I tended to park far away so I wasn’t too close to other vehicles, just to be safe, and avoided maneuvering through cramped parking garages.

Inside, the Navigator seats either 7 or 8 (my test vehicle had a bench seat in middle and could fit 8), and does so quite comfortably. Even the back row is not overly cramped, which is something I can rarely say. Climbing into the third row, though, can be tricky. ??Then when you need to move large items, put the seats down and pile in the cargo; there's plenty of room.

There also is a ton of head space in the vehicle, even for the tallest folks out there, and the interior design is well thought-out and user-friendly.

You can choose between 20-inch and 22-inch wheels, which have you riding high above almost everyone else you’ll encounter on the road.

?There is an air of luxury oozing from the Navigator. The steering wheel is a sharp leather/wood combination. Materials are high-end, attractive and comfortable all around from the front to the back. (though you do pay the premium with a minimum pricetag of over $60K, so this should be expected).

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

You have a powerful 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine, but since it’s so heavy (about 6,000 pounds -- aka 3 tons), you won’t be zooming up to speed from a stop.

Still, it’s quite the powerful motor -- producing 380 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque.

Towing capacity on the Navigator is up to 9,000 pounds.

For such a behemoth of a vehicle, driving around in the Navigator didn’t seem like the chore it could have been. The handling was quite responsive and you don’t feel like you’ll pulling around that much weight.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview monitor and front/rear parking sensors all come as standard equipment on the Navigator, and they all help you control this extra-large ride safely.

The MyLincoln Touch system to control audio/entertainment/navigation via voice worked very well and allowed me to keep my eyes on the road and not have to tinker with buttons while I was driving.

Among the plethora of tech and safety features on the Navigator are:?-- Power liftgate?-- Power running boards on both sides to help you get in and out (a must with the high ride this is)?-- Heated/cooled front seats; 2nd row heated seats; Power third-row fold-flat seats?-- Dual-zone electronic climate control

-- Cross-traffic alert to warn of cars crossing behind you (very helpful if you get distracted and miss seeing a person or car behind you)?-- Keyless entry (doors sense your key and open)?-- Rain sensing wipers (good for those slow rains so you don’t have to keep adjusting the speed)?-- THX certified audio system (very sharp)

MPG

I averaged about 16 mpg on average -- Official numbers are 15 city/20 highway/17 combined.?The fuel tank holds 28 gallons, so prepare for some pricey fillups at the pump (close to $100 bucks a pop). If you can afford this vehicle, though, this is probably not a major concern for you.

PRICE

The 2015 Navigator I tested came in at just over $72K, with a base price of $65K before options.The base price on the Navigator (a non-4x4 edition) is $61,480.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator is a user-friendly and useful vehicle due to its size and versatility, and the refresh on its design for 2015 gives it some new visual appeal. If you want to drive around in style in a true, full-size luxury SUV, and are not concerned about fuel economy, the 2015 Navigator is among your best options.

You can get similarly decked-out options from domestic competitors like Cadillac (Escalade) or foreign competitors like Infiniti (the QX80), so there are others worth looking at before committing to which brand of luxury you like the most, so I'd recommend trying out several options and seeing which strikes your fancy the most (fancy being the key word in this segment, of course).

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page.

Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.

 

Read 5699 times Last modified on Wednesday, 12 June 2019 23:11
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

https://www.autotechreviews.com

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