Compare the2023 Ford ExpeditionVS 2023 Lincoln Navigator

Both the Expedition and Navigator have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Expedition has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Navigator’s Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Expedition and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

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

There are over 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

The Expedition stops shorter than the Navigator:

The Expedition has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Expedition offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label 4WD pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator (9.8 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the Navigator (10.6 vs. 9.6 inches).

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The Expedition has .2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear hip room than the Navigator.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Lincoln Navigator is limited to 8700 pounds. The Expedition offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Expedition’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition will cost $1805 to $6645 less than the Navigator over a five-year period.

The Expedition will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Expedition will retain 49.75% to 51.3% of its original price after five years, while the Navigator only retains 44.21% to 46.46%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the Navigator because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the Navigator, including $88 less for a water pump, $29 less for a muffler, $85 less for fuel injection, $19 less for a fuel pump, $100 less for front struts, $213 less for a timing belt/chain and $505 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition will be $25398 to $27305 less than for the Lincoln Navigator.

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Lincoln Navigator by almost five to one during 2022.