Lincoln News: Lincoln Unveils the 2015 Lincoln Navigator

[Drew Dowdell]

The 1998 Lincoln Navigator created the full size luxury SUV segment, but the Navigator has lost the spotlight since then. Lincoln hopes to get it back with the redesigned 2015 Navigator. Lincoln took the wraps off the next version of the Navigator today.

One thing the Navigator has never been is subtle and that trait carries over with the 2015 model. Up front is a brash interpretation of Lincoln's split grille design sporting 5 chunky, horizontal bars in each grille portal. The light cluster carry LED accent lighting while the headlights are the more traditional HID type. The power tailgate sports a full width LED tail light design, that some have suggested is reminiscent of the 2014 Dodge Durango, but is actually just the same theme seen on the coming 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover, flipped upside down.

Inside, the theme is decidedly more conservative. Sticking with the dual cowl dashboard design of the current generation, the layout of the 2015 Navigator feels at once fresh yet familiar. It comes swathed in hand wrapped leather and natural grain wood trim. Ford's now ubiquitous Sync system features an 8 inch display on the center stack and a 4.2 inch LCD in the instrument cluster. Redundant hardware controls for climate and radio are placed below.

As we reported previously, the 2015 Navigator will no longer have a V8 under the hood but will instead be powered by an Ecobost V6. Producing at least 370 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, a 60 horsepower and 65 lb-ft jump over the outgoing 5.4 Liter V8, the 3.5 liter V6 Ecoboost Navigator will lay claim to best in class towing. Power is routed through a 6-speed automatic with rear-wheel and 4-wheel drive configurations available.

As with the current model, the 2015 Navigator will be offered in both standard length and extended length models.

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator is a fresh look on a vehicle that has been fading in its segment in spite of arguably being the segment's founder. It faces stiff competition from an all new 2015 Cadillac Escalade, the excellent Mercedes GL-Class, and a soon to be seen Audi Q7. In its favor, 70% of Lincoln Navigator buyers return to buy a new one.

Do you think this new 2015 Navigator has the direction to take on these market foes? Sound off below.

Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears.

Source: Lincoln News

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[David]

After reviewing the pictures my initial impression is UNDERWHELMED!

First off this is NOT a competitor to Cadillac, Mercedes, Audi, BMW in my opinion even though Ford thinks so.

It is more in line to compete with GMC Yukon Denali, Lexus and Infinity where you see clearly a re-badge of their entry level full size SUV. The clipped on Lincoln nose is not enough to make it stand out from the Ford version. While the nose is new, the back side is dated looking to me. I do not see this as fresh and 21st century. Sad part is that it needs a V8, yes their V6 has more HP / Torque but it is still non competitive with the rest. I am not sold that the V6 engines will hold up in the long haul for these 10,000lb SUV's.

Interior is a disappointment to me as I see the cheap plastic FORD interior with a few leather and wood pieces put on to say this is luxury but still comes off as a cheap attempt to save as much money while charging people high prices. The dash does not flow for me but looks like a Ford HD truck, Chunky, Blocky and cut up. The interior says ISOLATION from each other. Reminds me of a cubical farm at the office. Does not come across as luxury to relaxe and enjoy as you haul, tow and move people around on road trips.

This version reminds me of the Old GM where you can clearly tell the Bean Counters dictated what could and could not be done in the auto.

I have to give this a D for effort that falls way short of bringing out a true luxury competitor.

[Drew Dowdell]

looks like just a mild refresh to me... just enough to bring the Navigator to the modern look of Lincoln and not a penny more.

[Robert Hall]

They still haven't gotten rid of the '97 vintage doors or greenhouse, looks like. Amazing... I like the dash treatment, similar to the current model w/ the two pods. Got the whole '70s Oldsmobile tribute going on w/ the grille, more so than other Lincolns..

Someone at Lincoln really likes the '71-72 Cutlass grille treatment..

Edited January 24, 2014 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Blake Noble]

I keep looking for Bravada badges only to feel very disappointed.

Glad I'm not alone in thinking that the front of this looks like a Chinese tribute to a '70s Oldsmobile.

You know what else? Those taillights look pretty familiar, too.

Lincoln is officially the worst luxury brand of all time, ever. It's even more amusing that they believe this warmed over 15 year-old turd can compete with and poses any threat to the 2015 Escalade, which is all-new. So what if you've limited the powertrain to a turbocharged V6, Ford Lincoln? I don't think buyers in this segment give one rat's ass about fuel economy.

It's sad when the 2015 F-150 in top-level trim is more of a luxury vehicle than this. Kill Lincoln, please. They're so far gone they make Acura look relevant. Acura.

Edited January 24, 2014 by black-knight

[Blake Noble]

I'm also going to sue Lincoln. Someone there obviously lurks C&G and found this sketch I made all the way back in 2006 and decided to rip it off.

Edited January 24, 2014 by black-knight

[ocnblu]

An embarrassment to Ford's luxury brand, especially after the stunning, aluminum F-150. From a distance, it is simply a nose job on an old tank. Hopefully, this is not a "mid-cycle refresh", as that would mean another ten years with this Russian limo face.

Although the more I read about the new Pickup, the more concerns I have about the aluminum aspect.

[ehaase]

I am one of the few people that likes the new Navigator, but it will be 2 1/2 to 3 times more expensive than I can afford.

[Intrepidation]

So let's see. This refresh has swapped out the aweful grill of the last model for one that's less bad but also a half-assed interpretation of the split wing grill design.The tail light shape is more than a little reminiscent of the Durango. The interior gets new electronics, leather stitching for the dash, and Ziricote wood. However, these improvements are at odds with the every man steering wheel plucked from the F-150 (what was wrong with the old tiller?), the cheap black plastic surrounding the Nav and HVAC controls, as well as the hard plastic all over the door panels. That and the dash design itself is a holdover from what Lincoln was using six years ago. The only real highlight is the new powertrain.

This is a refresh that would have been good 3 years ago, what this needed after seven long years was a full redesign.

2/10 try again.

[Drew Dowdell]

What happened to the MKC Wheel?

[GMTruckGuy74]

And people blast GM for not going fan enough to differentiate the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado!! Oh Ford!!!

[2b2]

at first I just thought it was OK

but

after seeing this video

I'm more than surprised...ASTONISHED how Beautiful the remade Navigator is!

Max(imum)Wolff is a GENIUS!!

[Cory Wolfe]

So... My problem is this:

1998 Lincoln Navigator...

2003 Lincoln Navigator...

2007 Lincoln Navigator...

2015 Lincoln Navigator...

Suddenly, you start to realize how lazy of a refresh this is, and how little Lincoln cares.

[Intrepidation]

Considering in the 16 years its been in existence its only had one complete redesign, that's just pathetic. The Escalade is a year younger and has been redesigned four times.

[Cory Wolfe]

Even then, it wasn't a complete redesign. It still has the same front doors since its inception in 1998. The bottom half of the rear doors were slightly reshaped, but otherwise are mostly the same as well. It's been written that the roof panel is shared with the original through the last "generation", so I can only assume that remains the same on this slight refresh.

[Intrepidation]

I wouldn't be surprised. Ford is notorious for milking sheet metal stamps for years. Look at the Super Duty.

[ocnblu]

In the video, it is clear the camera is trying to defend itself by constantly moving away from the subject.

[Robert Hall]

I wouldn't be surprised. Ford is notorious for milking sheet metal stamps for years. Look at the Super Duty.

Yes...same cab since 99...the Expedition has had the same greenhouse and doors since MY '97..cheap ass bastards.... Ford has a history of this--the F series had two mild facelifts and went from '80-96. The current E-series van dates to '92 with a few nose jobs since then. Of course, GM has done this also--the '73-87 trucks and the vans have had long lifespans..

Edited January 25, 2014 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Croc]

That interior is plastastic. So I guess this is why Ford got rid of Mercury...they wanted to bring Lincoln further downmarket.

Help me here, guys--what does Lincoln compete with? Acura? Lower-end Buick? Help me here...

[ocnblu]

This is the Grand Wagoneer of the New Millennium.

[Robert Hall]

That interior is plastastic. So I guess this is why Ford got rid of Mercury...they wanted to bring Lincoln further downmarket.

Help me here, guys--what does Lincoln compete with? Acura? Lower-end Buick? Help me here...

The Navigator's main competition is the Yukon and Escalade, I suppose. Also the Lexus LX and Infiniti QX..the big truck-based V8 luxo SUVs. I can't imagine anyone cross shopping the Navi w/ European SUVs, though.

As far as Lincoln sedans and CUVs, they target Acura, Buick, and the appliance end of Lexus (ES/RX), I would say...

Edited January 26, 2014 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Croc]

That interior is plastastic. So I guess this is why Ford got rid of Mercury...they wanted to bring Lincoln further downmarket.

Help me here, guys--what does Lincoln compete with? Acura? Lower-end Buick? Help me here...

The Navigator's main competition is the Yukon and Escalade, I suppose. Also the Lexus LX and Infiniti QX..the big truck-based V8 luxo SUVs. I can't imagine anyone cross shopping the Navi w/ European SUVs, though.

As far as Lincoln sedans and CUVs, they target Acura, Buick, and the appliance end of Lexus (ES/RX), I would say...

So...basically exactly what Mercury was allegedly attempting to target, then, right?

[ZL-1]

That interior is plastastic. So I guess this is why Ford got rid of Mercury...they wanted to bring Lincoln further downmarket.

Help me here, guys--what does Lincoln compete with? Acura? Lower-end Buick? Help me here...

The Navigator's main competition is the Yukon and Escalade, I suppose. Also the Lexus LX and Infiniti QX..the big truck-based V8 luxo SUVs. I can't imagine anyone cross shopping the Navi w/ European SUVs, though.

As far as Lincoln sedans and CUVs, they target Acura, Buick, and the appliance end of Lexus (ES/RX), I would say...

So...basically exactly what Mercury was allegedly attempting to target, then, right?

Well, Mercury was the step-up from Ford and below the then-Luxury brand Lincoln, so... Yes, Lincoln went downmarket.

[Cory Wolfe]

Lincoln seems to be tied up with a short leash. Every now and then Ford will let little Lincoln stretch its little legs, but is quick to give 'em a swift tug before they explore too much of the world. Sure, you can design your own vehicles to a degree, but we'll do the engineering for you. Here's some FWD platforms to work with... and here's an outdated truck platform, but you're not allowed to change the cab. Better yet, just do the fascias and soft points of the interior. Make it look fresh, no one will notice. Here, since you didn't go potty inside the factory today, you can have the SHO's Ecoboost V6 as a treat. You weren't really going to compete with the Escalade, anyways.

[David]

Loooonnnnnnggggggg Sllllllllloooooowwwwww Deeeeeeaaaaattttthhhhhh

[Intrepidation]

For a company whose bread and butter brand is doing so well, its amazing how poorly they are managing Lincoln.

[David]

They do not know how to truly build luxury. Just look at all the long in the tooth so called new models with excessive plastic interiors.

[ponchoman49]

Reminds me of the "new" Tundra which basically got a new grille and fascia, carryover power trains and a revised interior. The difference here is that the Nav's interior is much the same but it's engine changed. If it wasn't for the engine I would have a hard time calling this anything but a model year refresh. And putting only the Ecoboost V6 as the lone engine is crazy. I hope Ford enjoys lots of Warranty repairs for this one.

[David]

This is what you get when you put in a CEO that is used to creating a new platform every 15-20 years and updates pretty much are Lipstick on a Pig. The Plan industry due to heavy regulations has hardly changed. Ford seems to be using the same CEO attitude of it worked at Boeing, should work at Ford.

2025 - Finally replace the 1990's platform that is being used.

[Robert Hall]

One thing I realized today listening to the Autoblog podcast (and went back and re-read the article) is the new Navi is V6 only. Interesting--no more V8s for Lincoln. I guess this is an attempt to lower the CAFE rating.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

There is no "Lincoln CAFE rating". There is a Ford Motor Company CAFE rating of which Lincoln is part of, but those 600 Navigators per month that Lincoln sells really doesn't add much to the overall average.