Traditionally, Lincolns served as the poster car for traditional, well-to-do Americans, just not ridiculously wealthy ones. Think successful club owner, business executive, law office partner, Vegas hashish importer, or rare antiques dealer. Regardless of model, the brand’s vehicles never ventured into the rarified pricing air occupied by European exotics — not even the Continental Mk. II, which stickered for the equivalent of $90k back in 1956.
That changes for 2019, as the Lincoln with the biggest margins — the full-size Navigator — joins its Cadillac rival in topping the six-figure mark.
Don’t worry, there’ll still be a plain-Jane base model offered for $74,500, according to order guides seen by CarsDirect. That price, which includes a destination charge, represents a $650 increase over 2018, though climbing the trim ladder to Select and Reserve grows much pricier for the coming model year.
At $78,850 after destination, the 2019 Navigator Select adds another $1,000 to its sticker. You’ll more than triple that pricing boost to move into a Reserve, which sees its entry price hit $86,500 for 2019; some $3,500 greater than in 2018. It’s a lot less jarring when you consider that extra $3,500 includes a now-standard technology package — formerly a $2,640 option — which adds a host of driver assist features.
Automakers love to boast of standard safety, but aren’t in the habit of handing it over for free.
It’s in the highest strata of Navigatordom where Lincoln breaches the $100,000 barrier. We’re talking about the Black Label L model. The long-wheelbase version of Lincoln’s top trim level joins the standard-length model in piling on the price, bringing its after-destination sticker to $100,890, or just $700 below that of a Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum. Previously, the Black Label L went for $98,700.
Carrying an entry price of $97,690, the Black Label line doesn’t enter 2019 completely unchanged. Lincoln’s 30-way power seats become standard kit on these ultra-lux models, suggesting to would-be customers that profits are only part of the intention here. Of course, Lincoln will siphon almost a grand of extra gravy from each vehicle once the 2019 Black Labels go on sale.
Given the brand’s recent sales woes, Lincoln could be forgiven for seeing nothing but dollar signs in its largest model. Over the first seven months of 2018, Lincoln sales in the U.S. fell 10.8 percent, with July’s year-over-year tally falling 11 percent. In comparison, Navigator sales rose 62.7 percent in July and 79.9 percent on a year-to-date basis.
[Image: Lincoln Motor Company]
I will say I like Lincoln’s current exterior styling direction over Cadillac’s.
Cadillac “Art and Science” has evolved into “Art Deco and Science” – go Google “Art Deco Steam Trains” and you’ll see what I mean.
No, it has become Arts and Scientology – you’d have to be in a cult to like that tacky, cheap looking pre-dented look of current Cadihacks.
@Carroll Prescott
Pre-dented look?
As opposed to what, the already dented look of a Lexus.
I prefer a Yukon to either though. Just kind of tacky on the inside.
Art & Science is over – being replaced by the Escala design language.
See it in the new CT5 and CT4, as well as the facelift for the CT6.
What does CT4,5,6 mean anyway? I am totally lost.
I agree. The navspeditions look pretty good this generation. Lincoln always can find a way to over do the styling though and I feel like it’s not egregious this time around but it’s too much just the same. I am not in the market for this vehicle so it’s easy for me to question the longevity of the ego boost and say no thanks. I am glad that Gm finally has a compelling reason to make their full size SUV’s better than the current generation.
Henry Hill would like this car. Flashy styling, way too unreasonably big for normal city streets and parking spots, plenty of room for old friends back in the tailgate, even more passengers can fit back there if they are reclined and you persuade them to cooperate (this detail is important) for those midnight drives through the countryside, not much body roll when you’re driving too fast around Long Island and trying to get away from a helicopter.
An Expedition starts at $52k. I guess all the gingerbread is worth doubling the price??
Just like GM does for Tahoe, Yukon (Denali), and Escalade? Or just like Fiat/Chrysler will do for whatever the basis of a reborn Grand Wagoneer?
FCA is missing out big time without a 3 row Luxo-SUV in their lineup.
It’s worth it as long as they keep selling all they can build.
Hows this any different from a $70K M3 vs a $35K 320i? Everyone does this.
Um, the M3 adds additional/better mechanical bits whereas the $100k Navigator just adds bling and toys.
But at the same time, the mechanical upgrades aren’t worth $35k+.
Bling and toys cost money too, and are much more useful on the street than another 200HP or carbon ceramic brakes. Nobody is buying Navigators to do HPDEs.
Does the Expedition come with this gorgeous interior design and color palette, or does it come with a black F-150 dashboard?
1. Will these really go for retail? 2. Will huge rims and rubber band tires get slapped on one or will it have a trailer hitch for the boat/horse trailer? 3. It’d better come with Lincoln’s concierge service.
1. Good question. Keep in mind these SUV’s have a huge tax advantage over smaller SUV’s because of their GVW rating.
2. I usually see the bling tires on an older Navi or ‘Slade.
Lincoln dealers are selling black label Navis and Contis in less than a week from receiving them onto their lots, so I imagine they’re going for very close to retail.
That’s far too much money for a rebadged Expedition with a tiny yet thirsty V6
They sell all they can build, so I suppose it’s not too much money.
It’s actually VERY good value compared to other luxobarges in this class. The Bentley SUV sells for 3-4 times the price and is not as well made or reliable, and the Lincoln is as equally well appointed. Lincoln also has far fewer mechanical issues than either Mercedes or Porsche, and only slightly more than Lexus, the leader.
Love the Latin test posts, by the way.
“semper ubi sub ubi”
I thought the last gen Navigator was kinda ugly. This one is meretriciousness at its finest. If I didn’t know better I’d think it’s a parody.
Thanks for the word of the day (I had to look it up).
Cadillac, the ball now in your meretricious courts. Lexus too. You’re every bit as capable.
European vehicles are very meretricious, obviously that was the target. Japanese ones are simply ugly.
I love the look of the current Navigator, but it’s too big for my needs. I am so looking forward to the new Aviator which has much of the same look, but smaller and will probably come in at $50-60K
Far too low…..Lincoln will severely overprice the MKExplorer just like they did with the MKExpedition.
While i do like the Lincoln…….Ill stay on the Escalade-tor i like feeling like im the King of the road!!!
Canyonerooooo!
LOL!!!!
My Bentley Bentayga would like a word with your road king
Well, you’ve got me beat in build quality and interior materials…………….and certainly in price………….but the name really sucks!!!
Yeah, nothing like the Escalator
“.Ill stay on the Escalade-tor i like feeling like im the King of the road!!!”
and Standard of The World (or one of the worlds in the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics
I like ’em, and maybe could even afford one, on paper, but I don’t think I’ll be signing up for a $90k+ car note.
A lightly used Black Label L in 3-4 years…that’s a strong maybe.
Slightly used Ferrari SUV will do it for me, the good value too.
A small amplification—despite the fact that a CPI calculator doesn’t translate $9,695 in 1956 dollars to over $100,000 in today’s money, that was _serious_ money for a vehicle in 1956. A Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing was $2,400 less with Porsches even further down the food chain. A Ferrari 250 GT was one of the few more expensive vehicles ($12,500).
I like the bold look of this thing, but it’s also a big fat looking slug of a truck too. Only an idiot or a Kardasian would pay this much. You can get a Range Rover for the same money- no one will look at you funny getting that valet parked at the club like this chrome festooned F150 with a shell. Lincoln has lost it’s way, they should just kill the brand since they can’t manage it. The sales numbers from the last decade agree with my opinion.
Lincoln did really well with this Navigator. Stunning interior. I kinda wish they carried over the gull wings from the concept. At least as an option.