?2018 Lincoln Navigator 4×4 Black Label?
An Exquisitely Appointed Land Yacht
The Lincoln Navigator became one of the first full-size luxury SUVs when it first appeared on the scene, literally creating a new market segment. Now for the 2018 model year, the Lincoln Navigator serves up a new interpretation of that first classic vehicle, with two sizes available ? a regular and a long wheelbase model, which is a foot longer.
OVERVIEW
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator returns to its former lofty status, when Cadillac and Lincoln were often referred to as ?Land Yachts? due to their size and luxurious opulence. It is literally an all-new full-size SUV that elegantly blends modern luxury with advanced technology, while providing a first class level of travel for its occupants.
Wireless charging and standard Wi-Fi allow for the ultimate in vehicular connectivity. State-of-the-art technology allows the driver to easily adjust the vehicle settings to facilitate ease of driving for greater enjoyment ? in virtually any weather or terrain. With more space for pesonal belongings than any other large SUV*, the all-new Navigator encourages leaving almost nothing behind.
LUXURIOUS APPOINTMENTS
?Quiet luxury is both a look and a feeling,? stated Kumar Galhotra, president, of The Lincoln Motor Company. ?The all-new Navigator embodies both. The sleek styling, spacious interior and technology are all designed to make each trip effortless.?
Navigator?s elegance is on display before the doors even open. Upon approach, the chrome Lincoln star logo on the grille softly illuminates. Then, LED lighting in the lower front body and taillamps subtly engages, and a luminous Lincoln welcome mat appears beneath the front doors.
Interior ambient lights sequentially illuminate each of the SUV?s three rows of seating at night, while during the day, a panoramic roof bathes the cabin with natural light.
The all-new Navigator offers speed-dependent adaptive lighting, a new Lincoln technology that provides a wider spread of light at lower speeds for increased visibility. As the vehicle accelerates, the beam of light narrows to help eliminate glare from side objects.
Within the luxurious interior are inclination and intrusion sensors, which trigger an alarm should someone attempt to move or enter the vehicle. The interior layout is uncluttered, with a simple, comforting ambience.
Vehicle weight savings (via the lighter, high-strength aluminum-alloy body that removes nearly 200 pounds) allow for features such as towing capability and quietness. Laminated front and side glass contributes to the quietest Navigator cabin ever. All three rows provide spaciousness that includes storage in each to help maintain cabin cleanliness and organization. Navigator?s advanced cargo management system offers an adjustable shelf behind the rear seats that allows creating storage customizable to individual needs. Even with the vehicle parked on an incline, the feature ensures groceries won?t roll out when the liftgate is opened.
STAY CONNECTED AND ENTERTAINED
Connectivity is enhanced with six USB ports, four 12-volt power outlets and a 110-volt plug. There?s also an available wireless phone charger in the first-row center console media bin eliminating tangled cords. The driver and front-seat passenger can enjoy Perfect Position Seats, with standard SYNC? 3 featuring both Apple CarPlay? and Android Auto? compatibility, enabling the management of audio, phone, navigation and more from the vehicle touch screen or steering wheel-mounted controls. Second-row passengers are provided with audio and climate control, while third-row seats feature power recline capability.
Each display screen can project different content, allowing a personalized entertainment experience for each passenger. Through Lincoln?s agreement with Sling Media, those who own a Slingbox can access their TV channels on the go. The standard Wi-Fi allows for up to 10 mobile devices at a time to be connected.The available Revel? Ultima 20 speakers audio system works in concert with Navigator?s interior design and acoustics, transforming the cabin into a personal theater with three distinct listening modes ? stereo, audience and on-stage.
An available rear-seat entertainment system allows passengers to stream content wirelessly with an Android device to one of the 10-inch adjustable screens mounted on the rear of the front seats. Content also can be accessed through more traditional devices like an SD card, an HDMI cord or a USB, as well as through SYNC AppLink?, allowing the front-seat passenger to monitor and select viewing content. An available Head-Up Display can show selected information on the windshield instead of the instrument cluster.
Yachting Elegance
<a href=”https://ourautoexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LIncoln-Navigator-BL-Dsh.jpg”><img src=”https://ourautoexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LIncoln-Navigator-BL-Dsh-630×473.jpg” alt=”LIncoln-Navigator-BL-Dsh” width=”630″ height=”473″ class=”alignnone size-large wp-image-45500″ /></a>
For owners desiring a more personalized look, Navigator comes with three Lincoln Black Label options ? an exclusive collection of interior design themes and materials, plus a host of membership privileges.
My test 2018 Lincoln Navigator came in a 4×4 configuration, Long Wheel Base version, executed in Black Label trim. Seating was set up for seven with first and second row Captain?s chairs and a 60/40 fold flat third row seat. The exterior finish was an alluring Chroma Crystal Blue, while the interior was executed in what was referred to as a Yacht Club Theme, which consisted of Light Blue elements accented by gloss white trim accents and contrasting stitching and piping. The base price was set at $93,705., while the final tally came to $96,705. after factoring in the custom exterior finish, Perfect Position seating with Active Motion offering massage, heating and cooling functionality, with up to 30 different adjustments and the Destination and Delivery fee.
PERFORMANCE
Power for this three-ton-plus vessel (sorry, vehicle) is surprisingly provided by a Longitudinally front mounted 3.5-liter DOHC, 24-valve, TI-VCT Twin-Turbocharged V6 engine with electronic multi-port gasoline injection that cranks out 450 horsepower at 5,500 rpm while also developing a whopping 510 pound feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. The engine?s motive energy reaches the 4×4 driving wheels via a ten-speed SelectShift? automatic transmission. Towing capacity is rated at 8,100 pounds.
Additional available technology includes: Trailer Backup Assist with four cameras to create an overhead image; a 360-degree camera and enhanced park assist; and Adaptive cruise control.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator 4×4 Black Label
l is not only much more attractive than before, but it is a considerably better vehicle as well. Forget the fact that there is no V8 under the hood, the 3.5-liter Twin-turbocharged V6 is quite capable of delivering the goods and hauling the mail in a most spirited fashion.
Navigators equipped with four-wheel drive offer Hill Descent Control?, along with standard hill start assist. With hill start assist, a vehicle parked on a slope with a grade of five degrees or more remains stationary for up to two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal.
FINAL TAKE
There are a host of convenience features such as the foot activated rear gate, automatic power running boards, and adjustable power thigh supports for front row seats. The only negative issue that was encountered, was that the front visors do not extend and there?s no secondary visor either.
The Lincoln Navigator is a really large SUV, but it drives and handles like a much smaller vehicle. It delivers nimble and precise handling, especially considering its size when set in Sport mode, and the ride quality is both luxurious and comfortable.
In the final analysis, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator 4×4 Black Label is one fine, exquisitely appointed and luxurious, full-size SUV, and is fully capable of holding its own with the tough competition that it shares the category with. It all comes down to one?s individual tastes and requirements, and this latest iteration Navigator shines with its many enhancements and improvements, making for smooth sailing.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2018 Lincoln Navigator 4×4 Black Label
Base Price: $93,705.
Price as Tested: $97,900.
Engine Type and Size: 3.5-liter DOHC, 24-valve, TI-VCT Twin-Turbocharged V6 with electronic multi-port gasoline injection.
Horsepower (bhp): 450 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 510 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: Ten-speed SelectShift? automatic.
Drive Train: Longitudinally mounted front engine / All-Wheel Drive.
Suspension: Front – Short- and long-arm (SLA) independent with coil-over shocks and stabilizer bar Monotube dampers, standard;
Rear – Independent multilink with coil-over shocks and stabilizer bar.
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel vented discs with ABS Traction control and AdvanceTrac? with Roll Stability Control? (RSC?), Hill Descent Control? and Hill Start Assist.
Tires: Hankook Dyno Pro H/T 235/45 R22 114 H mounted on 21- spoke polished ? machine face with Black painted inners aluminum alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 131.6 inches
Length Overall: 221.9 inches
Width: 93.8 inches with mirrors
Height: 76.1 inches
Curb Weight: 6,056 lbs.
Turning Circle: 40.8 ft.
Fuel Capacity: 23.0 gallons
Turning Circle: 39.0 ft.
Front overhang: 39.8 inches
Rear overhang: 48.7 inches
Approach angle: 4×2 – 22.0 degrees/Navigator L – 22.1 degrees
Departure angle: 4×2 – 21.3 degrees/Navigator L -20.3 degrees
Ramp breakover angle: 4×2 – 18.3 degrees/Navigator L – 16.2 degrees
Ramp breakover angle: 4×4 – 16.6 degrees/Navigator L – 15.7 degrees
Minimum running ground clearance 4×2 – 8.4- inches
Minimum running ground clearance 4×4 – 8.1 ? inches
Fuel Capacity: 28.0 gallons / Navigator L ? 33.5 gallons.
EPA Mileage Estimates: Navigator 4×2 -16 city/22 hwy mpg / Navigator L 4×2-15 city/20 hwy/ Navigator 4×4 – 15 city/ Navigator L
4×4 20 hwy/ mpg 15 city/19 hwy.
Drag Coefficient: Not listed.
0 – 60 mph: Not Tested.
Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles and unusual wheeled vehicles as well.
