The 2018 Lincoln Navigator L 2WD with its 3.5L 6-cyl engine gets 18 MPG combined. While this fuel economy won’t surprise buyers looking at this extended-length luxury vehicle, it’s still an important factor. This vehicle is chosen for its large size, impressive appearance, and ability to move families and cargo in comfort. Those who buy it are more interested in these things than saving gas, and they consider fuel costs as part of the overall expense.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city number shows how much the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 works to move almost three tons of SUV from a stop. Stop-and-go traffic is hard on vehicles like the Navigator L. The highway number is better, but it still acknowledges that this vehicle’s shape is not very aerodynamic because it was designed for maximum interior space. You can get 22 MPG on the highway if you drive gently at a steady speed, but if you accelerate quickly or drive fast, this will go down. Expect the highway MPG to drop a lot when towing, which this SUV is made to do.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator L 2WD at $2,450. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and assuming average fuel prices. It’s a good point of comparison, but your actual fuel costs will change depending on how you drive, local fuel prices, and the kind of driving you do. For example, if you drive mostly in cities with heavy traffic, you will probably spend more than this. If you mostly drive on highways with little city driving, you will probably spend less. Premium fuel is recommended, but not required, which could lower this cost if you use a lower fuel grade.

Real-world expectations

The EPA estimates give you a starting point, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. How you drive, the weather, and even tire pressure can change fuel economy. Owners have reported different numbers. Some struggle to reach the EPA’s combined estimate in mixed driving, while others get closer to the highway number on long trips. Towing will greatly reduce MPG, possibly into the single digits depending on the weight of the trailer. The Navigator’s trip computer can show you real-time and average fuel economy, which can help you drive more efficiently. Exploring NAVIGATOR MPG across all years can also reveal user reported figures.

How it compares

The 2018 Lincoln Navigator L’s fuel economy is similar to its competitors. The Cadillac Escalade ESV, its main competitor, gets about the same, with an EPA-estimated 17 MPG combined. The Infiniti QX80 also gets around 16 MPG combined. The Lexus LX 570, which is known for being reliable and good off-road, gets lower numbers, at about 14 MPG combined. These vehicles, like the Navigator, are bought for what they can do and the luxury they offer, not for saving gas. The Range Rover, known for its off-road ability and premium interior, is similar. However, luxury SUVs like the Volvo XC90 offer much better mileage at 25 MPG combined, mainly because they are smaller and have available hybrid drivetrains, but they don’t have the space and towing capacity that Navigator buyers need. People who buy the Navigator care most about third-row legroom, cargo space with all rows up, and towing capacity, and these features reduce fuel economy.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerate gently and brake smoothly. With it’s reliable EcoBoost engine, The Navigator doesn’t need you to press the gas pedal hard to get up to speed. Avoiding quick bursts of acceleration will save fuel. Watch the traffic and slow down gradually, so you don’t have to brake hard, which wastes energy.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires that don’t have enough air create more rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the pressure listed on the sticker inside the driver’s side door. A tire pressure monitoring system can help.

Don’t carry extra weight. Extra cargo adds to the vehicle’s weight, which makes it use more fuel. Take out anything you don’t need, like tools or sports equipment. Every extra pound takes more energy to move.

When on the highway, use cruise control. Driving at a consistent speed on the highway can improve fuel efficiency. Cruise control helps you avoid changing your speed, which can waste fuel. Watch for hills and traffic, and adjust your speed to drive smoothly and efficiently. Adaptive cruise control will use more fuel, but it also has benefits.

Don’t idle. When idling, the engine is using fuel but the car moves no distance. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles restart quickly, and restarting uses less fuel than idling for a long time. Pay attention to all Lincoln fuel economy data, as different models and years will offer different fuel-saving technologies.