2016 Lincoln Navigator — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2016 Lincoln Navigator

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $61,993–$72,706
Fuel Economy 10 MPG
Seating 8 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $5,250/yr

Key Specifications — 2016 Lincoln Navigator

Seating Capacity8 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$61,993–$72,706

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Lincoln Navigator

With an overall Carivo score of 7.0/10, the 2016 Lincoln Navigator earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Value at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.4/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.1/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $61,993–$72,706, 10 MPG, seating 8, the Lincoln Navigator sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.2/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and reliability and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Lincoln Navigator ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $61,993 starting price is about 72% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Navigator Year Should You Buy?

Across the Navigator model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.3/10$84,017 Read review →
2025 7.3/10$84,017 Read review →
2024 7.3/10$81,570 Read review →
2023 7.3/10$79,122 Read review →
2022 7.2/10$76,675 Read review →
2021 7.2/10$74,228 Read review →
2020 7.2/10$71,781 Read review →
2019 7.1/10$69,334 Read review →
2018 7.0/10$66,887 Read review →
2017 7.0/10$64,440 Read review →
2016 (this review) 7.0/10$61,993
2015 6.9/10$59,546 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Lincoln Navigator

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Fuel economy at 10 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
  • Premium price bracket — make sure the score justifies the outlay vs. segment alternatives

NHTSA Recalls — 2016 Lincoln Navigator (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist
11/03/2022 · 22V150000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the…
Visibility / Defroster/defogger/hvac system / Fan/motor
26/08/2022 · 22V648000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
Visibility / Rearview mirrors/devices / Exterior
14/02/2025 · 25V091000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
04/09/2025 · 25V572000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Common Questions — 2016 Lincoln Navigator

Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

We rate the 2016 Lincoln Navigator's reliability 6.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator worth buying?

It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #2010 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator cost?

The 2016 Lincoln Navigator starts at $61,993 and ranges up to $72,706 across trims (MSRP when new). At 10 MPG, expect roughly $5,250/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

More Lincoln Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Lincoln models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.