2011 Lincoln Navigator Review

The 2011 Lincoln Navigator gives buyers comfortable seats in all three rows, practical cargo space and a long list of high-tech standard features, but an underpowered engine leaves reviewers wanting more.

In a competitive class, the 2011 Lincoln Navigator is simply passed by its rivals. The Navigator is a good choice among Luxury Large SUVs, but offerings from Infiniti, Mercedes, Lexus and Cadillac are just better. Large SUVs like the Navigator are meant to go off road and tow heavy loads, as well as provide a large seating capacity.

As status symbols go, the Navigator -- and its long-wheelbase sibling known as the Navigator L -- is still pretty impressive with its available 20-inch chrome wheels, spacious leather- and wood-lined passenger cabin and plush ride. If you're planning on towing really big loads, however, know that the Navigator's 5.4-liter V8 can be underwhelming in the power department.

In the full-size luxury SUV segment, the Navigator is up against some stiff competition. The 2011 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV offered as either the regular Navigator or the extended-wheelbase Navigator L. Three-row, seven-passenger seating is standard, and the second-row captain's chairs can be replaced with a three-person bench to increase capacity to eight.

Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, a power liftgate, power-folding running boards, a back-up camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, adjustable pedals, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear auxiliary controls, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated and ventilated power front seats, driver memory settings, heated second- and third-row seats and a power-folding third-row bench. Other options include 20-inch chromed wheels, a sunroof, a heavy-duty tow package, a second-row 40/20/40-split bench, a hard-drive-based navigation system with Sirius Travel Link and a rear-seat video system.

Under the hood of the"2011 Lincoln Navigator "is a 5.4-liter V8 that produces 310 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. Properly equipped, a rear-wheel-drive Navigator is capable of towing up to 9,000 pounds.

EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
The 2011 Lincoln Navigator comes standard with stability control (with a rollover sensor), traction control, antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags and three-row side curtain airbags.

The longer Navigator L, thanks to its additional space behind the rear seats, has a total cargo capacity of 128 cubic feet.

In Navigator and longer-wheelbase Navigator L models, a 310-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 engine drives either two or four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Hauling is second nature to the Navigator—the maximum tow rating is 9,100 pounds. The Navigator handles solidly and stably, but you'll never forget you're in such a big, heavy vehicle. Inside, in fact, the Navigator feels like a true luxury vehicle—the payoff of additional insulation and noise-canceling materials.

Seating comfort is top-notch in the 2011 Navigator, whether you go for the Navigator or Navigator L. Cargo space is better in the Navigator L, too.

Materials inside the 2011 Lincoln Navigator are mostly high-quality, though there are a few low points. Power-deployable running boards, to help ease ingress and egress, are standard, and for 2011, a voice-controlled navigation system, HD Radio, Sync connectivity, and Sirius Travel Link information services are now standard.