Compare the2023 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2023 Volvo XC90

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
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Navigator are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

Both the Navigator and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 582 to 1266 pounds more than the Volvo XC90. 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 Volvo XC90:

	Navigator	XC90
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	567/631 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	177 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	271/178 lbs.	383/334 lbs.

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 Volvo XC90:

	Navigator	XC90
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	51
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	108 lbs.	153 lbs.
Hip Force	180 lbs.	255 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	94
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	434 lbs.	608 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	209

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

Warranty

Lincoln’s powertrain warranty covers the Navigator 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Navigator’s warranty.

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 XC90 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 28 points higher than the XC90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in initial quality. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lincoln vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lincoln above average in long-term dependability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

Engine

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 193 more horsepower (440 vs. 247) and 252 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 258) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (440 vs. 295) and 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 310) than the XC90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

	Navigator	XC90
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.5 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	92.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Navigator and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Navigators have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Navigator uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Navigator has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 (23.6 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Navigator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC90.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Navigator’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

	Navigator	XC90
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.6 inches

The Navigator stops shorter than the XC90:

	Navigator	XC90
70 to 0 MPH	182 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the XC90 (275/55R20 vs. 235/55R19). The Navigator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (285/45R22 vs. 275/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator Standard has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90.

The Lincoln Navigator’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volvo XC90 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Navigator has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC90’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Navigator uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the XC90 (122.5 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Navigator is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC90 (9.6 vs. 8.8 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Navigator uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Navigator uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XC90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Navigator Black Label 4WD is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core:

	Navigator	XC90
At idle	42 dB	48 dB
Full-Throttle	72 dB	74 dB

Passenger Space

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry 7.

The Navigator has 68.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (172 vs. 103.8).

The Navigator has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 5.9 inches more front hip room, 7.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom, 5.1 inches more rear hip room, 8.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 4.2 inches more third row legroom, 6.5 inches more third row hip room and 17.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Navigator’s middle and third row seats recline. The XC90’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

	Navigator	XC90
Behind Third Seat	19.3 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	35.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	103.3 cubic feet	85.7 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 XC90’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The Navigator’s cargo area is larger than the XC90’s in almost every dimension:

	Navigator	XC90
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/48”/86.8”	21.8”/49.6”/80.3”
Max Width	51.5”	54.7”
Min Width	51”	44.5”
Height	37”	35”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Navigator’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC90 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

The Navigator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (6200 vs. 4000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC90 is only 5000 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Navigator is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Navigator’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Navigator’s exterior PIN entry system. The XC90 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Volvo On Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Navigator has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Navigator has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC90.

Both the Navigator and the XC90 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 XC90.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Navigator is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Navigator is less expensive to operate than the XC90 because typical repairs cost much less on the Navigator than the XC90, including $714 less for a water pump, $82 less for a muffler, $88 less for front brake pads, $447 less for a starter, $193 less for fuel injection, $330 less for a fuel pump and $34 less for front struts.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The XC90 was Truck of the Year in 2016.