Which SUV will you choose? The 2023 Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator? These two cars are different in one very specific way: luxury. The Lincoln Navigator offers drivers luxurious features right off the bat with its standard trim, while the Expedition gives drivers that classic traditional reliability Ford is known for. But is the upgrade to a more luxurious SUV in 2023 worth that steep price tag? Our comparison guide will help you make the best financial decision for you and your family.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The Expedition offers plenty of space, nearly just as much as the Navigator does.
- Navigator comes with high-quality leather on its base trim.
- Identical gas mileage on both SUVs
- Both seat seven passengers.
- The Expedition can tow more than the Navigator, despite the Navigator having a more horsepower engine.
POWER: WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
The luxury features of the Navigator also extend to what is under the hood, which coincidentally is saying a lot for the Expedition, as they both share the same type of engine. The Expedition, despite being the more affordable vehicle, is cruising along with the same powered engine as the Navigator, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. The torque of the two vehicles is different, however, with the higher torque belonging to the Navigator. That paired with a couple of other miscellaneous differences, the Navigator still puts out more horsepower than the Expedition. The Expedition gives drivers 400 hp while the Navigator is around 450 maximum. For the price comparison of these two SUVs, this isn't much of a difference. Most drivers won't find the higher price justifiable for a bit more horsepower on the Navigator. Also, despite having slightly less horsepower, the Ford SUV still packs a heavier towing punch as it still maxes out at 9,300 pounds while the Navigator maxes out at 8,700 pounds. The Expedition is much more equipped for daily use outside of just riding around in luxury.
INTERIOR DESIGN: EXPEDTION V. NAVIGATOR
The Navigator has some of the best-looking interiors you can find in a 2023 SUV. It asserts itself as a luxury SUV right from the start, with its standard luxury interiors and high-quality infotainment system - one of the biggest and most-user friendly ones out there. When riding in a Navigator, it feels like taking a trip in a limousine thanks to its longer space in the back and comfortable interior.
This only makes the Expedition seem like the most reasonable choice, however, if you're going to buy a new car. Despite being the less expensive option, it gives all passengers a luxurious feel without demanding the label of a luxury SUV. For instance, it offers nearly the same amount of head and neck room for back seat passengers as the Navigator does, with the Navigator only beating it by an inch. The Expedition offers much more cargo space, with 63.6 cubic feet compared to the 20.9 cubic feet the Navigator offers. Both cars do reach up to around 103 cubic feet with the second row folded down. With both rows folded down, the Expedition still has an inch more cargo space maximum than the Navigator.
SIMILAR FEATURES FOR A HIGHER PRICE TAG
It's expected that if you're going to pay these heavier price tags for the Navigator, you're going to get more features. It only makes sense. Who wouldn't be interested in the Navigator's impressive larger doors, retractable step rails, and slide second-row seating? But when you take a magnifying glass to the two vehicles, that is where a lot of the discernable feature differences stop. Nearly all of the standard features on the base trim of the Navigator, are offered on some trim versions of the Expedition. The Expedition offers buyers its fair share of luxury with a plethora of equipment, such as blind spot monitoring, driver attention alerts, and forward collision warnings. It even has the option for a 360 degree cam and pedestrian camera in its higher trim levels. The difference between the two is that the Expedition allows buyers to choose which features are most important to them, instead of putting it all into the standard trim.
THE WINNER: 2023 FORD EXPEDITION
The Navigator is a great car, but for nearly $20,000 dollars less, we choose the Expedition. While the features that come with the Navigator are no short of luxurious, most families would be satisfied with all the Expedition has to offer without a steep upgrade.