When a full-size SUV simply won’t suffice, buyers can only turn to mega-sized vehicles like the Navigator L. Essentially a stretched-out variant of Lincoln's already-imposing Navigator, the L is one of only a handful of mammoth SUVs. Only one of those, the Cadillac Escalade ESV, provides a comparable blend of exterior dimensions, interior space, and luxury amenities.
What's New for 2016
Restyled front and rear a year ago, with a turbocharged V6 replacing the prior V8, the Navigator L sees only minor changes for 2016. Sync 3 has been added, along with a one-touch power-folding third-row seat. A cargo-area floor mat also is new. The Reserve option package gains an ebony interior-trim color, with new 22-inch nine-spoke wheels optional.
Choosing Your Lincoln Navigator L
Measured against a regular-size Navigator, which is sizable itself, the L adds 14.9 inches, expanding the area behind the third row. As a result, cargo space grows by 24.5 cubic feet, for a total of 42.6 with all seats up. With second- and third-row seats folded, cargo volume totals 128.2 cubic feet.
Like its junior associate, the Navigator L holds a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 that produces 380 horsepower. With its heavy-duty towing package standard, a Navigator L can haul up to 9,000 pounds. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission, with rear-wheel drive. A four-wheel drive system is available as an alternative, for about $3,400 additional.
Fuel economy with rear-drive is estimated at 15 mpg in city driving and 20 mpg on the highway (15/19 mpg with four-wheel drive). Not exactly thrifty by any means, but significantly better than the old V8. As expected, the regular-length Navigator scores a little better.
The Navigator L comes in a choice of two luxuriously-equipped trim levels:
Select
Standard features include perforated leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s memory, heated second-row captain's chairs (with a center console available), a power liftgate, and a power-folding third row seat. A second-row bench is available, for eight-passenger capacity. You also get a navigation system, power-adjustable pedals, configurable dashboard displays, and a THX II 14-speaker surround-sound audio system with HD and satellite radio. The interface for Sync 3 with MyLincoln Touch infotainment includes tactile buttons.
Standard safety equipment includes a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. High-intensity-discharge headlights are standard, along with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. When equipped with four-wheel drive, Select trim adds a selectable driving-mode system called Lincoln Drive Control.
Reserve
Stepping up in price adds an expanded leather interior with upgraded wood trim, black lower-body cladding, power running boards (black or chrome), and 22-inch wheels. The Reserve edition also features Lincoln Drive Control (with three modes for continuously controlled suspension damping).
Among the few individuals options are a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a sunroof, and different wheel finishes.
The Reserve package hikes the price of the Navigator L considerably, but doesn’t add much apart from the Lincoln Drive Control system. With Drive Control, you can alter the way the Navigator L responds to your actions; but the system also is included with four-wheel drive Select trim. We recommend test-driving a L with and without it, before deciding whether upgrading is worth the extra cost. Test-driving might also reveal that you’d be just as happy with a regular-length Navigator.
Get your price on a Lincoln Navigator L »