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2013 Lincoln Navigator L

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Overview

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2013 Lincoln Navigator L Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.1

America's first full-size luxury SUV, the 8-passenger Lincoln Navigator paved the way for many challengers such as the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lexus LX 570 and Mercedes-Benz GL. Big and capable, the Navigator can now add "high-tech" to its list of superlatives thanks to the addition of Lincoln's smartphone-integration software, Sync Applink. Although the market has shifted toward smaller, more-efficient car-based SUVs in response to skyrocketing gasoline prices, anyone who still craves a big, traditional SUV will appreciate the 2013 Lincoln Navigator's luxurious amenities, extraordinary cargo capacity and intimidating stature.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you are looking for a luxurious family hauler with the lowest starting price in its class along with a spacious cabin capable of accommodating seven or eight passengers and their gear, take a close look at the 2013 Lincoln Navigator.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Unless your next luxury SUV must possess an eighth seat, you may find the more compact 7-passenger Infiniti JX, Acura MDX or Buick Enclave more appealing with their superior agility, fuel efficiency and pricing.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.1
Driving Dynamics

6.3
Comfort & Convenience

8.1
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.3
Value

5.9
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#8

out of 17

MPG

#12

out of 17

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.9 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 Lincoln Navigator L Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The only changes to the Lincoln Navigator for 2013 are a few new exterior paint colors.

Driving the Navigator L

2013 Lincoln Navigator L Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions This 2013 Lincoln Navigator boasts a stiff body-on-frame structure and fully independent suspension front and rear. Monotube shocks improve the ride and enable more precise tuning, while a variable-boost power...

steering pump reduces low-speed effort and improves higher-speed feel and feedback. The Navigator is rock-solid yet pleasingly agile for its size, although its turning circle is pretty large. Ride quality is smooth and comfortable on the road, even on rough surfaces. Performance is generally adequate but the 5.4-liter V8 engine can feel strained when carrying a full load. Strong brakes haul down the big SUV with authority. The extra-long L version feels heavier (because it is), yet drives very similarly. Both are uncannily quiet inside due to an acoustic windshield, thick side glass and superb sound insulation throughout.

Favorite Features

LINCOLN SYNC APPLINK
Sync Applink controls popular mobile applications on your smartphone through voice commands. Simply download the compatible apps and connect your smartphone to the vehicle via Bluetooth to manage applications like Pandora, Stitcher or NPR News.

POWER-DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARDS
To ease climbing into and out of this lofty SUV, the 2013 Lincoln Navigator offers standard power running boards that automatically extend when any door is opened and retract once all doors are closed.

2013 Lincoln Navigator L Details

2013 Lincoln Navigator L Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Depending on the second-row seating configuration, the 2013 Lincoln Navigator can accommodate up to eight passengers as well as enough gear to stage a big family picnic. Opting for the second-row captain's chairs drops the Navigator's seating capacity to seven but gains a convenient center console nestled between the two seats. The Navigator's expansive interior (and the overall bulk necessary to enclose such a space) begins to make sense if you frequently fill all those seats. On the longer-wheelbase Navigator L, most of the additional length is dedicated to cargo space behind the 3rd-row seat.

Exterior

The 2013 Lincoln Navigator is big and bold, and it is styled to accentuate those proportions and make its presence felt on the road. Its flashy exterior is characterized by a massive chrome grille, large xenon headlamps and scores of chrome accents. The Navigator rides on standard 18-inch bright-machined alloy wheels; 20-inch chrome wheels and tires that really fill the fenders are an option. Although the power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats help, the Navigator's tall load-in height can make packing cargo a little challenging. The elevated step-in height is mitigated by power-assisted running boards that extend and retract automatically.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Navigator's standard feature list is generous. Among the major items are automatic xenon headlamps, 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, heated second-row seats, a power-foldable 60/40-split third-row seat, rearview camera, a keyless-entry keypad for the driver's door, and power-adjustable pedals. On the technology front, there are voice-activated navigation with SiriusXM satellite radio and Travel Link, HD Radio and a 14-speaker THX II-certified audio system. Standard safety features include a full complement of airbags, trailer-sway control and Lincoln's MyKey system, which allows individual tailoring of driver alerts and warnings.

Optional Equipment

With just a single trim level, the Navigator only asks buyers to choose a length (standard or L) and a driveline, 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive (2WD or 4WD). An available option group offers a power moonroof and the Monochrome Limited Edition Package, which adds tasteful monochromatic accents, olive ash interior wood trim and premium leather seats with black inserts and piping. Stand-alone options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a Class IV trailer towing package, remote starting system and 20-inch chrome alloy wheels.

Under the Hood

The 2013 Navigator is powered by a 5.4-liter V8. It delivers its 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque smoothly but that's frankly not a lot of power for a vehicle of this size, especially when fully loaded. The 6-speed automatic transmission has a tow/haul mode. The available 4-wheel drive (4WD) system uses a 2-speed transfer case with optional electronic shift-on-the-fly capability. In low range it switches the engine's electronic throttle control to a special off-road calibration for more precise torque management in the worst conditions, such as climbing steep, slippery hills.

5.4-liter V8
310 horsepower @ 5,100 rpm
365 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (gasoline, 2WD), 10/14 mpg (E85, 2WD), 13/18 mpg (gasoline, 4WD), 9/13 mpg (E85, 4WD)

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Lincoln Navigator's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $58,770, while the L model and its additional 15 inches of length is $60,935. Opting for 4WD on either model adds $2,900. Fully loaded, a 4WD Navigator L can reach $70,000. Navigator transaction prices may vary, so be sure to check KBB's Fair Purchase Price to see what people are actually paying for their Navigators in your area. Both Navigator models are considerably less expensive than the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, yet Kelley Blue Book projects the 5-year residual values of the standard and stretched Navigators to be nearly identical to those of the pricier Escalade models.

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2013 Lincoln Navigator L Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 78 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

9.0/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.2/10

Wonderful vehicle

By Geauxlden (LA) on Friday, May 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 76,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Perfect car for driver and passenger comfort"

Cons: "Gas mileage is only about 16mpg"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"If I would change anything I would hope for better gas mileage. You can't beat this car for comfort, convenience, and passenger safety."

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Best car we've ever had!

By Kefoss (MO) on Sunday, April 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "lots of room, plenty of cup holders & storage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We bought this as grandparents to hold multiple grandkids safely and its been perfect. It's easy to drive, even for folks our age. Kids love all the room on trips. Holds everything and even satisfied my husband's desire for a pick up truck. I love this car and will always buy a large SUV. We bought it with 17K miles as a certified used car and have had no repairs. I'd probably buy the darker interior next time though since the grandkids are a little hard on the camel interior."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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'08 Navigator Limited Elite

By Thomas R. (WA) on Sunday, April 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 73,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Amazing Ride, Well Equipped, & Reliable Luxury."

Cons: "None as of yet."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We purchased our 2008 Navigator used from its original owner with 60k miles on it. We now have 73k and have had it almost a year. We LOVE it!! From the styling, to the driving and handling, to the dependability, this vehicle is definitely a fun vehicle to own! I've owned 9 Mercedes, a BMW, A Tahoe, A Sequoia, 2 Volvo's, and 3 Honda's... This is by far my favorite! Recently looked at a new one and was amazed at how expensive they are new, but still considerably cheaper than the Escalade, Yukon, Lexus, or Mercedes GL Suv which definitely appeals to me. Ours came with Ford's 100k mile warranty which has been amazing. A few minor repairs which more than made the deductable worth the while. While reliable vehicles, I definitely recommend some type of warranty when purchasing any vehicle, but Ford/Lincoln's service is outstanding, along with their prices. Can't go on enough how much we love our Navigator and will definitely buy another one!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Love my Navigator! Very smooth ride.

By princess (OR) on Saturday, March 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Comfort, luxury, easy driving."

Cons: "visablity hard to see out when 3rd row headrest up"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is a great car. My family loves it! Wish I had gone with the L model for more room. (next time!)"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Don't miss my sedan!

By Love it! (CA) on Monday, December 10, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Easy to drive. Quiet. Great stereo!"

Cons: "A lot of car to wash!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I had to buy a new car as my old one was 12 years old. I was hesitant to buy an SUV, but this is no regular SUV, it is pure luxury! It is one of the quietest cars I have ever ridden in. It is so easy to drive and has a fabulous sound system! Also, it is functional with its electric back seats and many configurations. I hope I can keep it another 12 years!"

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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I already want to trade it in.

By No-no (TN) on Wednesday, November 07, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 4/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"We purchased our 2012 Navigator in Jan. 2012. It was great. The reason we bought it is because the sales person told us all of the features on it, we could not get on a new Expedition. We had owned sever Expeditions. Little did we know, we bought it. Then we found out after buying it that Expeditions have just as many features and are less expensive. At two months old, the power deployable steps messed up and the front passenger door messed up( it would not shut). :((( Then at four months the steps messed up again. Then at 6 months, the steps messed up for a third time. Also we have the DVD player in the headrests and the sound will not play through the speakers. We asked the dealer and they said it is "better" that way. If our kids have friends in the car, not everyone can watch the DVD. Also the headphones do not work in the back seat. We asked our dealer about this also. They told us that is how the car is and there was nothing they could do about it. Being such an expensive car, I thought the interior looked nice. But now I realize it is plain and I want to trade it in but sadly, we can't as the value of the car has already dropped so much."

7 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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See all 78 reviews