2016 Lincoln Navigator

The 2016 Lincoln Navigator is offered in two trims, namely the Select and the Reserve. Both trims can be had with a standard or extended wheelbase along with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Select trim includes 20-inch wheels. The front has been decorated with Automatic bi-xenon headlights while the interiors include Dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Sync 3.0, Heated and ventilated eight-way power front seats.

The Reserve trim upgrades to 22-inch wheels on the exterior side and adds a two-tone exterior paint scheme. The driveability has been improved with the introduction of adaptive suspension dampers, which performs phenomenally on the 4-wheel drive variant. When it comes to Lincoln Navigator interiors on this trim, the upholstery has been upgraded to leather while continuing the same profile as the Select trim.

The twin-turbo V6 engine in the Lincoln Navigator gas mileage surprises with 16 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. The 4WD Navigator, on the other hand, returns 15/20/17 mpg in city/highway/combined, respectively. The 28-gallon gas tank on the Navigator is adequate for long road trips and getaways.

Among the rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class returns 2 mpg more in the city, 1 mpg more on the highway, and 2 mpg more combined compared to the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade returns almost similar gas mileage as the Navigator, while the Infiniti QX80 is the least efficient of all. When it comes to the overall range, again Mercedes offers the most with 26 on top of the Navigator.

The 2016 Lincoln Navigator Interior is highly upscale as every component seems to be of premium quality The front seats are power adjustable and are heated and ventilated. The Lincoln Navigator cabin is made passenger adaptable with dual-zone automatic climate control. The driver enjoys memory functionality and can set presets for seat position and steering tilt settings.  Along with spacious seating interiors, it carries 18.1 cu-ft of cargo space, contributed by the length of the vehicle.

Among the rivals, the Infiniti QX80 manages to beat the second-row space in the Navigator by not more than 2 inches, it is nowhere close to the space on offer in the Navigator’s first and third-row seats. As for the cargo capacity, the QX80stays 1.5 cubic feet behind in cargo space. It comes with an 8-inch touchscreen that runs on Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment interface with standard features including Bluetooth connectivity, surround sound system, satellite radio, etc. Key interior features include:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Driver’s seat memory function
• Power-folding third-row seats

The Lincoln Navigator was last redesigned in 2015, so there are no changes in the Navigator’s looks this year. The Navigator specs 20-inch alloy wheels on the sides which are upgraded to 22-inch wheels in the Reserve trim. The front holds Bi-xenon headlights and the bumper has embedded Fog Lights while the rear is furnished with a power liftgate. Automatic wipers come as standard on the Navigator features list.

The Lincoln Navigator is 1.5-inches smaller than the longest Infiniti QX80, 5.5-inches less wide than the broadest GL-Class, has 1.1-inches lesser ground clearance compared to the QX80, and has a 2.1-inches smaller wheelbase compared to the GL-Class. The areas where the Navigator beats its rivals here are its highest curb weight, nearly 6,000 pounds, and its tallest 78.1 inches height. Key exterior features include:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Bi-xenon headlights
• Power-liftgate
• Fog lights
• Power-folding running board
• Automatic wipers

The 2016 Lincoln Navigator was well-received in the crash-test ratings carried by the NHTSA. The NHTSA gave the Navigator a perfect score of five stars in the overall crash test. The Navigator also scored a perfect five stars score in the overall front and side crash test, while the rollover test for the Navigator was rated as four out of five stars. Apart from the structural strength, the SUV also comes with a variety of safety features. Key safety features include:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control)
• Trailer sway control
• Post-crash alert system
• Rearview camera

2016 Lincoln Navigator vs 2016 Cadillac Escalade

The 2016 Cadillac Escalade is the closest rival of the Lincoln Navigator. The Cadillac offers a V8 engine that is less fuel efficient as compared to the Navigator. The Navigator is equipped with a downsized V6 engine but offers better performance and class-leading range as well. The 2016 Cadillac Escalade has an upper hand in terms of standard features and gives unparalleled ride comfort.  

2016 Lincoln Navigator vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL450

The 2016 Mercedes Benz GL 450 is the widest vehicle among all candidates. The Mercedes offer a smaller engine than the Navigator resulting in less power. The ride comfort, on the other hand, is where GL 450 takes the lead. The Navigator also takes a higher stance and a higher ground clearance. All factors considered, The Navigator would be the pick between the two.

2016 Lincoln Navigator vs 2016 Infiniti QX80

The 2016 Infiniti QX80 offers the highest ground clearance among the lot. It can provide all the thrill one might need from this segment's offering but lacks in providing gas mileage. The Infiniti QX80 can't match the Navigator in terms of interior comfort and space management and Lincoln also surpasses in providing better serviceability than Infiniti, making the Lincoln SUV the pick among the two. 

Due to an increasing number of compact utility vehicles and crossovers, the big, bulky full-size SUVs have now been lost in the crowd. They cater to a specific type of crowd, families who demand a lot of space and three rows of seats. If you still prefer the old-school large-size SUVs despite the high price, then the 2015 Lincoln Navigator makes a lot of sense for you. It has a spacious cabin and a large cargo area with all the seats up. The performance from the twin-turbo engine is up to the mark and fuel efficiency is also decent. Thus going for the Navigator won't make you regret your decision.