Lincoln is hatching major changes for the Navigator as previewed with a concept introduced at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday. Some features of the concept -- the gull-wing doors, notably -- are purely for show to spotlight the interior. Here’s what people are saying about the Navigator, Lincoln’s alternative to the Cadillac Escalade.
“Everybody. Everybody! Calm down. Let’s try and take this seriously. This is Lincoln’s big surprise for the New York auto show ... this Navigator concept with gull-wing doors large enough to make a pterodactyl jealous. What have they done? Oh my, oh my; what have they done?” -- Justin Westbrook, Jalopnik
“As with the Continental concept, this Navigator already has critics calling its originality into question, particularly with respect to its slab-sided Range Rover-esque proportions and blackout C- and D-pillars, as well as its Aston Martin-like fender garnishes. Accusations of copycat design work have never seemed to cause Ford or Lincoln much concern before, though. Based on how closely the production Continental hews to the lines of its concept forebear, we don’t expect Lincoln to make substantial changes to the production Navigator that will appear in 2017. Adding B-pillars and using four forward-hinged doors seem obvious necessities, of course, but the look should survive. And we have confirmed that the production model will indeed be called ‘Navigator’ and not something like ‘MKN.’ Whew.” -- Steve Siler, Car and Driver