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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $74,228–$91,846 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Value at 6.3/10 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. At 6.9/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.9/10 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. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $74,228–$91,846, 15 MPG, seating 8, the Lincoln Navigator sits in the luxury tier of the suv market. The value score of 6.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Lincoln Navigator sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and performance and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 →
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $74,228 starting price is about 106% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Lincoln Navigator scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.2 — and starts roughly $7,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $74,228 | |
| 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 | 7.0/10 | $61,993 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $59,546 | Read review → |
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.
| Air bags / Sensor / Side impact 15/10/2021 · 21V805000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the… |
|---|---|
| Visibility / Windshield wiper/washer / Linkages 14/04/2022 · 22V250000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail. |
| Engine 17/05/2022 · 22V346000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position. |
| Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 09/06/2023 · 23V420000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include… |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 25/08/2023 · 23V598000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when… |
Showing 5 of 11 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2021 Lincoln Navigator's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
11 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator starts at $74,228 and ranges up to $91,846 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Lincoln models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.