Owners of the 2017 Lincoln Navigator know that the vehicle makes a bold statement of sophistication, intelligence and perseverance. It puts power and comfort within reach and informs others on the road that you mean business.

The authoritative grille makes your presence known in an unmistakable way. The sleek lines and robust features provide drivers with unprecedented control over the road. Drivers who select a Lincoln Navigator can rest knowing it has an exceptional safety record, extensive amenities and the latest technology to make any trip a success.

This SUV will appeal to those who want a powerful vehicle that exudes a demanding view of the road and a best-in-class towing capacity.

The 2017 Lincoln Navigator comes in four configurations across the Navigator and Navigator L lines.

  • Navigator Select: $63,515 starting MSRP. Comes with an optional 4×4 option.
  • Navigator Reserve: $71,580 starting MSRP. Comes with the option of 4×4 control.
  • Navigator L Select: $65,905 starting MSRP. Offers the option of 4×4 capabilities.
  • Navigator L Reserve: $73,970 starting MSRP. Upgrade to the optional 4×4 drivetrain.

Performance Specs

The Navigator and Navigator L configurations all come with a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine as standard equipment. This engine provides 380 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque to make towing a trailer or camper a breeze. This vehicle is designed with a direct fuel injection system that makes the driving experience smooth and comfortable.

When equipped properly, the vehicle offers a best-in-class towing capacity of up to 9,000 pounds. Enjoy a smooth transmission with the SelectShift technology that is built into the 6-speed automatic transmission.

Independent front and rear suspension systems also enable the vehicle to maintain its balance while providing your passengers with a seamless and comfortable ride. Choose from a selection of wheel options ranging in size from 20 to 22 inches. The larger wheels offer more stability and control while absorbing more of the impact from the road below.

Safety and Entertainment Features

If safety is a top concern of yours, the Lincoln Navigator offers a host of passive and active safety features. The vehicle comes infused with safety features that keep you protected, even if that means maintaining automatic control of the vehicle.

Families will love the childproof rear door locks and the LATCH seatbelt system that make it safer for children.

All models come standard with a perimeter alarm, remote keyless entry and a passive anti-theft system. The vehicle also features an SOS post-crash alert system to notify authorities that you need help immediately after a crash.

A tire-pressure monitoring system ensures that you always have the right pressure in your tires and side-impact door beams help prevent intrusions into the cabin. When you’re pulling a trailer, the sway control system keeps your trailer from getting out of control.

Additionally, there is a whole host of airbags located throughout the cabin to ensure all occupants are kept safe. Intelligent technologies like the BLIS system can even alert you when vehicles are in your blind spot and keep you aware of cross-traffic.

It’s the small things that matter. When you return to your vehicle after a long day, the Lincoln Welcome Experience system greets you with an illuminated mat that guides your way. The warm interior lighting soothes you as you slip into your quality seats and begin your journey home. A voice-activated sync system helps ensure you have complete control over your maps and entertainment options.

The vehicle also offers a certified THX audio system so you can get movie quality sound as you cruise down the highway. Rain-sensing wipers provide an example of just one more technology that is designed to make your trip exceptional.

The Lincoln Navigator is full of luxury features, including a one-touch power folding third-row seat, climate-controlled seating and power-deployable running boards.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

According to the U.S. News and World Report, the Lincoln Navigator is ranked number seven in the Luxury Large SUV category. It’s notable for its large cabin and affordable technology options. When compared with the 2017 BMW X6 and the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, the Lincoln offers more high-end features.

But, it also comes with a higher base price tag. For the higher price tag, you’ll also get a more powerful 380 horsepower engine, compared to the BMW’s 300 horsepower engine and the Mercedes-Benz 302 horsepower engine. Both the Benz and the Lincoln come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which edges out the 3.0-liter I6 engine in the BMW.

For seating capacity, you can’t beat the 8-seat Lincoln that comes with over 103.3 cubic feet of cargo space. It is nearly double the capacity of the BMW X6. Both the BMW and the Mercedes offer only a five-seat capacity.

Fuel efficiency

The Navigator comes with a 28-gallon tank and the Navigator L offers an additional 5 gallons, at 33.5 gallons total. The vehicle gets decent fuel efficiency, and you can expect to achieve similar distances with both the 4×2 and 4×4 vehicle options. You’ll average 21 miles per gallon on the highway and 15 miles per gallon in the city.

On a full tank of gas, you can expect to drive approximately 472 miles with the Navigator configuration. Drive up to 569 miles with the Navigator L configuration. Mileage will vary based on the configuration and your cargo, but this vehicle won’t leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere thanks to its massive gas tank.

Pros and Cons

Overall, this is one of the largest vehicles in its class. For some, this vehicle will offer a solid and reliable option for trips and daily commutes. Others may find the vehicle a bit too large for their needs. The vehicle is powerful and it has remarkably fast acceleration for a vehicle its size.

Acceleration takes only 6.6 seconds to get from 0-60. The BMW X6 offers a slower acceleration that will get you from 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. The GLE350 Mercedes-Benz is only marginally better at 7.6 seconds.

One drawback is the limited 6-speed transmission. When most other vehicles are coming with 7- and 8-speed transmissions, this affects the overall smoothness of the ride.

Climbing into the Navigator makes it feel like you’re getting into your own private jet aircraft. With its towering features and commanding design, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another vehicle that offers this kind of style and performance.

If you’re not used to driving a large vehicle, there is a bit of a learning curve when trying to park. The vehicle also guzzles gas, but that’s to be expected due to its massive size. The large gas tank helps compensate for this issue to take you farther between fill-ups.

If you want a vehicle that will welcome you upon entrance and keep you safe on the road, the Lincoln Navigator is an exceptional choice. The vehicle comes with a host of convenience and entertainment features, best-in-class towing and an outstanding range of options to allow you to customize the vehicle to your needs.

The commanding view of the road gives you a perspective that not many other vehicles can offer.

This article was worked on by a variety of people from the Autoversed team, including freelancers, editors, and/or other full-time employees.