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Few sedans qualify for
land-yacht status these days
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So, living large in size,
comfort and image
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means cruising in something
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like this.
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I am Tom Voelk with Driven
for the New York Times.
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Lincoln's Navigator established
the Luxo SUV segment for 2015.
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The bow and stern get a new look,
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changes that pro-athletes, rappers and
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well-heeled suburbanites
will easily fathom.
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Navigator is not a car based crossover
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it's a full on SUV built on the same
architecture as Ford's F-150 pick-up
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but not the new generation -
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you know the one with the aluminum panels? -
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It will be a couple of years until an all new flagship arrives
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This refresh was needed to compete with the all new Escalade.
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Last year's V8 is gone, replaced with this more powerful 3.5 liter eco-boost V6.
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It's turbo charged, there's 380 horse power and 460 pound-feet of torque.
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It tugs up to 9.000 pounds.
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There are 6 cogs in the gearbox
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This one rolls with four-wheel drive.
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Built like a freighter.
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Navigator moves like a cutter off the line.
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There's a nice growling. You would
swear there's a V-8 under the hood.
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It feels every inch it's size
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when trolling crowded urban streets and parking garages
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The ride quality is firm, not soft or mushy.
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Driving dynamics are more crisp than you might imagine.
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This is a full sized truck based SUV after all.
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However, it has the optional adaptive suspension.
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Bundled with the Reserve package
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it's 7.150 bucks.
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The big issue with Navigator:
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No amount of money will buy adaptive cruse control,
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lane departure warning, lane keep assist and automated parking.
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They simply aren't available.
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Fuel economy? I saw about 21 miles / gallon on a 150 miles highway excursion
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closer to 12 in the city.
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The Reserve package adds more than that fancy suspension
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the beefy instrument panel at the wheelhouse gets cut and sewn leather.
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Seats and door panels are upgraded and if you're unfamiliar with Ziricote wood,
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this is what it looks like.
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These are a crowd pleaser.
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That and the terrific THX sound system hit the high water mark
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but the gage cluster looks phished from the Ford,
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same with the user interface.
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At the very least there should be new graphics.
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The cabin seats 8 when these captain's chairs are swapped for a bench.
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The midrow is far from steerage, there should be no complaints.
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Access to the way back can happen here
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or
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embark in a more civilized manner.
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The 3rd row has belts for three.
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Space is decent back here.
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Foot, knee, leg and head room are not going to be a problem
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The cushions -- a little on the short side.
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Lincoln crows best in class room back here.
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There are cup holders.
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I'll point out that the doors lack storage options.
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Navigator is a big rig.
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You would expect a large cargo hold.
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Uh, nope!
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Go with the L model that adds nearly 15 inches of length if you're going to stash large coolers behind the 3rd row.
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The load floor is quite high.
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Of course, dropping the seat backs helps.
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Navigator would have swallowed up to 18 packs
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if I would have brought one more out.
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Starting at just under 63 grand I highly suggest splurging for the Reserve package.
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That pushes this one close to 73.
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Navigator set sail with attitude,
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but with fewer features than its competitors it faces a headwind.