2018 Lincoln Navigator is a bold "Continental SUV"
Lincoln has revealed its next taste of American Luxury in the shape of the 2018 Navigator, a full-size SUV that doesn't stint on chrome. Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show 2017, the 2018 Navigator borrows heavily from the Navigator Concept shown off last year, though drops some of the more eye-catching details of that show car. Nonetheless, this isn't an SUV you'll miss on the road.
That means an even bigger grille than you'll find on the latest Continental, huge wheels and some sharp crease lines that emphasize the sheer scale of the Navigator. Lincoln brightens things up not only with the chrome work but plenty of LED lighting. Indeed, there's a full show that kicks off whenever you're near: first the Lincoln star logo on the grille glows into life, followed by the lower front body and taillamps, and then finally a "Lincoln welcome mat" appears under the front doors.
Those lights continue inside, with ambient lighting as well as a panoramic glass roof. Lincoln is fairly obsessed with what it can do with its LEDs, too: one option is speed-dependent adaptive lighting, which automatically spreads the light beam from the headlamps at lower speeds. Lincoln says that's particularly useful in residential areas, where you might want to see what's going on at the sidewalk. At higher speeds, the light beam focuses down to a narrower spread, reducing side glare.
It's not just an aesthetic improvement over the old Navigator, mind. A new high-strength aluminum-alloy body cuts weight by almost 200 pounds, which Lincoln says it has used to increase the SUV's towing capacity. Under the hood there's a twin-turbo V6 engine, which Lincoln says it expects to deliver a healthy 450 horsepower.
The engineers have paired it with a 10-speed automatic transmission. There's also trailer backup assist, which can automatically steer the SUV while reversing via a dial on the dashboard, and adaptive cruise control with stop/start functionality. Selectable drive modes have settings for regular roads as well as inclement weather and more challenging surfaces like ice.
As for the technology, there's a 360-degree camera and park-assist, which can help guide the 2018 Navigator into parallel and perpendicular spaces. SYNC 3 is fitted as standard, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Separate HVAC systems for the second row are joined by independent audio controls; optional is a rear-seat entertainment package, with 10-inch displays to which a wirelessly tethered Android device can stream content. There's also SD, HDMI, and USB connectivity.
Sling Media support pipes Slingbox TV channels through to the car's 4G LTE connection; up to ten devices can share the WiFi hotspot. An optional Revel Ultima audio system fills the cabin with 20 speakers. Of course, you might be too busy playing with the Perfect Position Seats, with their 30-way adjustability.
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In all, there are six USB ports, four 12V outlets, and a 11V socket. Wireless charging for the front row is an option. Lincoln's Personal Profile saves the driver settings to the key fob, including not only seat and mirror positions but presets for the climate control and entertainment system. Lincoln will also offer three Lincoln Black Label configurations.
In short, you could easily describe the 2018 Navigator as a "Continental SUV", no bad thing given the reception that sedan has had. Pricing will be confirmed closer to release, when the new Navigator shows up in dealerships in the US later in the year.