Made by the Ford Motor Company, the 2023 Ford Expedition and the 2023 Lincoln Navigator are both full-size SUVs with impressive designs, features, and performance. Though both SUVs have many similarities, they have notable differences as well. Let’s explore the details to see which SUV is the right one for you.
Key Takeaways
- Both SUVs come with impressive engine performance and safety features.
- The Navigator has a more luxurious feel while the Expedition has a more athletic, rugged feel.
- The Navigator’s starting price is about $82,000 while the Expedition’s starting price is about $58,000.
Exterior
The Expedition has made quite an impression with how big the vehicle is; however, despite being so big, the Expedition comes with a tough but prime look. Different trims come with different styles; for example, the Timberline trim comes with a rugged appearance and tow hooks ready to tow big things while the Platinum trim comes with a more fashionable design that comes with a satin aluminum grille and mesh chrome insert. Overall, the exterior has an athletic look that combines well with the size of the SUV.
The Navigator is known for its rectangular opulence. It has a honeycomb grill that has the Lincoln logo right in the center of the grill. To add to the fancy vibe, the Navigator has chrome trim pieces found on different places of the SUV. If you want a bigger trim, the Navigator L measures 221.9 inches long, which is 11.9 inches longer than the standard Navigator.
If you want to feel affluent in an SUV, then the Navigator would be your choice. However, if you want an athletic but family-friendly car, then the Expedition would be the choice for you.
Interior
As for the interior, the Expedition has comfortable and nice features. It comes with massaging chairs in the front seats, three-seat second row or captain’s chairs to replace the bench, and power-folding third row seating that gives plenty of space for passengers. Cargo space for the vehicle, with all the seats in place, is about 57.5 cubic feet, which is a huge benefit if you are trying to haul things either from the grocery store or for a family trip. Another feature that you are sure to admire is the accessibility to the different seating arrangements, which is nice if you have a family trying to get into the car.
The Navigator’s interior is made with premium materials and great attention to detail. Things like open-pore wood trim and massaging front chairs give this car a luxury feel. Noticeable features for you are its spacious cabin, adjustable seats, and panoramic sunroof, offering plenty of legroom and a great view for you and your passengers. However, the cargo space, with all seats in place, is only 19.3 cubic feet, which is quite small for a full-size SUV.
If you want a fancy interior with nice features, then the Navigator would be a great choice for you; however, if you want a family-friendly interior that offers great space and seating, at a significantly lower price, the Expedition is the SUV for you.
Engine Performance
The Expedition comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque with its standard model. However, the Timberline and Stealth Edition trims produce 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. All models come with a 10-speed transmission with RWD and an optional 4WD. The fuel efficiency is 16 city/23 hwy MPG with a fuel tank of 23.2 gallons.
Similarly, the Navigator also comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 10-speed transmission with RWD and optional 4WD. The fuel efficiency is 17 city/23 hwy MPG with a fuel tank of 23.6 gallons.
Though the Navigator does have a more powerful standard engine, the Expedition does compete better with horsepower and torque with its higher trim levels. As for fuel efficiency and fuel capacity, both SUVs are almost equal, but the Navigator barely has the slight advantage over the Expedition.
Technology
Since both SUVs come from the same motor family, the technology for the SUVs is similar with slight differences. Both SUVs come with high safety features such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic headlights, and steering assistance.
As for interior technology, the Expedition comes with a 12.0-inch touchscreen (or 15.5-inch touchscreen for higher-level trims) with a 12.4-inch digital cluster gauge to access controls. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is standard for each trim level. Each row has its available USB ports that make it accessible for charging various things. The audio system comes with 6 speakers, but higher-level trims offer 12 to 22 speakers depending on what you want.
The Navigator comes with a 13.2-inch touchscreen with a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster. It also comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa (optional), and a 14-speaker audio system. As for the passengers, the Navigator offers a 5.8-inch digital controls display and 10.1-inch displays for entertainment that can come with wireless headphones, wireless streaming via Bluetooth, voice command, and Amazon Fire TV (if you want).
The Navigator offers quite the arrangement of technological features that is sure to make you feel fancy; however, the Expedition also allows you to have impressive features that may be more family-friendly than the luxury that the Navigator offers.
Price
The Expedition has an MSRP range of about $54,000 – $87,000 with a starting price of about $58,000. As for the Navigator, the MSRP range is about $78,000 - $109,000 with a starting price of about $82,000. As shown, the Navigator is more expensive than the Expedition by thousands of dollars; However, the Navigator's luxurious features and high level of refinement may make it worth the extra cost for some buyers. On the other hand, the Expedition offers a great ride that has a better price for a family budget.
Overview
Both the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator are great full-size SUVs that offer a lot of value for the money. While the Navigator is more luxurious and refined, the Expedition offers more cargo space and a family-friendly feel. The choice between the two models will come down to your personal preferences and budget.