Compare the2023 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2023 Buick Enclave

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Navigator are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

The Lincoln Navigator has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The middle row seatbelts optional on the Navigator Reserve/Black Label inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Navigator has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Navigator has standard Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Navigator’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Navigator and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 1000 to 1496 pounds more than the Buick Enclave. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Navigator is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Navigator	Enclave
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	216
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	53/40 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	326	333
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	35.2%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Navigator is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Navigator	Enclave
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	69
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	108 lbs.	161 lbs.
Hip Force	180 lbs.	204 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	134
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	434 lbs.	716 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	134	251

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Navigator comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Enclave’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Navigator 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Navigator’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

The Navigator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Enclave doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Navigator’s reliability 20 points higher than the Enclave.

Engine

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 130 more horsepower (440 vs. 310) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	Navigator	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	17.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	6.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.2 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Navigator has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Navigator has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 21.7 gallons).

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Navigator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Enclave.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Navigator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

	Navigator	Enclave
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.4 inches

The Navigator stops shorter than the Enclave:

	Navigator	Enclave
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the Enclave (275/55R20 vs. 255/65R18). The Navigator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Enclave (285/45R22 vs. 255/65R18).

The Navigator Standard’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The Navigator’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator Standard has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Enclave. The Navigator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Enclave.

Suspension and Handling

The Navigator’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Enclave doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Enclave (122.5 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The Navigator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.2% to 50.8%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Navigator more stable handling and braking.

The Navigator Black Label 4WD handles at .77 G’s, while the Enclave Avenir pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Navigator Black Label 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Enclave Avenir (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (9.6 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Navigator Black Label 4WD is quieter than the Enclave Essence (72 vs. 78 dB).

Passenger Space

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

The Navigator has 14.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Enclave (172 vs. 157.3).

The Navigator has 2.7 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room, 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.6 inches more third row legroom, 2.9 inches more third row hip room and 6.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Enclave.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Navigator’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the Enclave.

	Navigator	Enclave
Second Seat Folded	103.3 cubic feet	97.4 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Navigator easier. The Navigator’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Enclave’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

The Navigator has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Enclave doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Navigator’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Enclave doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Navigator. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Navigator’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Enclave’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The Navigator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (6200 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is only 5000 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Navigator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Enclave can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Navigator uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Enclave doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Navigator is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Enclave Premium/Avenir, the Navigator Reserve/Black Label has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, foot pedal distance, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Navigator’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Navigator’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Navigator has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Enclave doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and second seat rows keep the Navigator’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Enclave doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Both the Navigator and the Enclave offer available massaging front seats. The Navigator also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Enclave.

The Navigator’s Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Enclave doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Navigator will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Navigator will retain 44.21% to 46.46% of its original price after five years, while the Enclave only retains 43.19% to 43.97%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Navigator is less expensive to operate than the Enclave because it costs $82 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Navigator than the Enclave, including $413 less for a water pump, $144 less for a muffler, $136 less for front brake pads, $220 less for a starter, $192 less for fuel injection and $206 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The Enclave has never been chosen.

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