|
It's hard to believe, but Lincoln's iconic Navigator has been in production for over a decade. Trends come and go but, in the case of the Navigator, one thing is certain: It's a rock solid big SUV that offers considerable luxury and capability. Now, it should be no secret that the brand Lincoln and luxury go hand in hand, but many tend to forget that the big Navigator is a well rounded, capable SUV.
Luxury and Capability
Don't believe it? Think about this: When properly equipped with Lincoln's available Heavy Duty
Trailer Tow Package, the big sport ute can yank a 9,000 pound trailer (2WD). For 2010, buyers
automatically receive Lincoln's unique ?trailer sway control? as standard. From a trailer towing
perspective, this is pretty much a stroke of genius. It functions in conjunction with the
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control?). Combined, they monitor the yaw motion of the
vehicle to determine if the trailer is swaying. If it is, the control takes charge: It can reduce engine
torque or precisely apply the brakes to bring the Navigator and the trailer under control. It's an
exclusive arrangement and, for anyone pulling a trailer under not-so-perfect conditions, it's
definitely a stress-reducer.
Even without a trailer attached, the standard AdvanceTrac with RSC is always functioning in the background. This is the industry's only electronic stability system with two gyroscopic sensors, one of which is a unique vehicle-roll motion sensor that directly measures the roll rate 100 times per second. Working in conjunction with the Anti-lock brake System (ABS), traction control and yaw control, AdvanceTrac with RSC uses the roll rate and other information to automatically determine when and how it will apply brakes and/or modify engine power to help keep all four wheels well grounded.
Providing the grunt necessary to move big loads is a 310-horsepower, 365 foot-pound torque 5.4- liter, single overhead cam V8. Where this engine differs from many others is the fact that it's flexfuel friendly. This means you can fill up with regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline, E85 (ethanolgasoline mix) or a combination of both. Compared to pre-2009 Navigators, the engine is certified to reduce smog-forming emissions by 55 percent. Backing the SOHC V8 is a six-speed automatic gearbox. The smaller steps between gears improve acceleration, while the double overdrive gearsets (fifth gear and sixth gear are both overdrive) help to improve fuel economy. Powertrain noise is reduced simultaneously.
Interior Amenities
As you can see, the mechanics and platform electronics are plenty stout, but what about the personal amenities? Truthfully, Lincoln never lets you forget you are in fact driving a Lincoln. Climb behind the leather-wrapped, wood-trimmed steering wheel and you'll be met with an instrument cluster that's reminiscent of the fabulous dual cowl job first seen on Lincoln's legendary 1961 Continental. The wood trim extends through the door trim and across the cluster center stack and through the sweeping center console. Chrome plated trim is abundant while the seats are scrumptiously trimmed in what seems like acres of high end leather. There's considerable space for passengers in all three rows of seating; and, in part due to the independent rear suspension system, legroom is rather abundant, even in the third-row seat. Pedals are power adjustable. Ditto with the PowerFold? feature of the third row seat. Front row seats are heated and cooled and the sound system is based upon a 14-speaker (no misprint), 600-watt stereo complete with a six-disc in-dash CD changer.
Lincoln's SYNC® voice-activated, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system (with a USB port in the first-row center floor console) is standard, as is a SIRIUS® Satellite Radio receiver. A voice-activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel LinkTM is available. This system, working by way of the SIRIUS Satellite Radio network, provides access to information and entertainment such as real-time traffic data, weather reports, fuel options sorted by price and/or distance, major league pro and college sports scores and much more. Other standard comfort and convenience equipment includes a rear view camera system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Easy FuelTM capless fuel filler, forward and reverse sensing systems (that helps make parking a breeze), and heated second-row seats.
Options and Safety
If that's not enough, Lincoln offers several healthy option packages: Included is a Monochrome
Appearance Package that features a revised grille, body color lower body side cladding, a bodycolor
hood accent, and power-folding, heated body-color mirrors. The Monochrome Limited
Edition Package adds ebony wood trim, unique Camel or Stone color Premium leather-trimmed
seats with black leather inserts and black piping, and head restraints embroidered with the Lincoln
star on all three rows. The Elite Package includes the voice-activated, hard drive-based Navigation
System featuring SIRIUS Travel Link (with complimentary six-month subscription), nearly 10
gigabytes of digital storage for pictures and music, and on-screen image from the Rear View
Camera, THX® II certified 5.1 surround audio system with AM/FM stereo/single-CD/DVD/Jukebox,
MP3 capability, 14 speakers (including an 8-inch subwoofer), 600 watts of power and 12-channel
amplifier, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and power moonroof.
From a safety perspective, the Navigator includes six standard airbags: Driver and front-passenger coverage includes dual-stage front airbags along with front-seat side airbags. All outboard passengers benefit from the Saftey Canopy® System side-curtain airbags. Note that in certain types of side impact or rollover accidents, side-curtain airbags deploy from the headliner to cover all three rows. Lincoln also includes the SOS Post-Crash Alert System, designed to signal for help after an accident where an airbag has been deployed or if a safety belt pre-tensioner has been activated. Sensors direct the horn to sound and lights to flash so that the driver and passengers may be located. This safety gear is in addition to the previously mentioned AdvanceTrac with RSC system.
Driving Impression
Okay. So the 2010 Lincoln Navigator is a fully loaded luxury SUV. And a safe one to boot. What's
it really like to drive? There are no hidden (unwanted) surprises when you climb behind the
wheel. Suspension is tuned for compliance. That means it rides nicely and handles well for such a
big vehicle. And, in truth, the big Lincoln Navigator does what you ask. The best way to describe it
is quiet, confident and, most important, secure.
Learn more about the Lincoln Navigator
Build & Price your Lincoln Navigator
Back to Reviews
