When shopping for a new SUV, deciding between what you want and need can be hard. Sure, the higher trims flaunt lots of new toys, but are they worth the price hike? For instance, would you pay $5,780 over the already luxurious Lincoln Navigator Standard for the next trim level up, the Reserve?

Does it really offer enough perks to justify that much money? Find out before you sign on the dotted line.

What do the Lincoln Navigator Standard and Reserve have in common?

At first glance, you might not notice much difference between the first two Lincoln Navigator trims. Their bodies look the same from a distance. In fact, almost everything is identical, including the daytime running lights and auto-fold side-view mirrors. 

Both interiors boast genuine wood trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 12-inch LCD cluster display, a hands-free power liftgate, and active noise control. They also have a 110V/150W AC power outlet, 12-volt power ports, personal profile settings, and the ability to use your phone as a key.

And they share the same advanced safety features, including blind-spot detection with cross-traffic alert, cruise control, and a reverse sensing system.

So, the real question is, what else do you get on the Reserve for nearly $6,000 more?

What the Lincoln Navigator Reserve offers beyond the base model

There are only a few differences in appearance. The base-model Lincoln Navigator Standard comes with power illuminated running boards, while the Reserve boasts illuminated power-deployable running boards. The Reserve also offers optional first- and second-row illuminated belt buckles, a panoramic glass roof, and an illuminated Lincoln star.

The engines are the same: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. Goodies like electronic traction assist, trailer backup assist, and trailer brake controller are optional. 

You would think the Reserve would offer more interior amenities, but Lincoln‘s website shows only two differences: a head-up display and a Revel Ultima Audio System. Once again, those perks are optional. 

Seating is the one major area where the Reserve provides more choices. With this trim, you’ll automatically get the perfect-position 24-way front seats with leather seating surfaces, power adjustability, and power thigh extenders and head restraints. A front passenger seat with memory also comes standard on the Reserve. Fork over even more money, and you can get the perfect-position front seats and second-row power-fold heated captain’s chairs. 

The Reserve comes with only one extra safety feature, a 360-degree camera with front camera wash. An enhanced security system with an intrusion and inclination sensors are optional on the Standard trim, but it’s included on the Reserve.

Are you really getting your money’s worth?

Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator Reserve worth the extra cash? In all fairness, no. Most of the extra features that would make it worthwhile are optional, meaning you’ll be paying even more than $6,000.

For those who can afford a Lincoln Navigator, the extra money may or may not be a deal-breaker. Either way, it’s still nice to know your money isn’t being wasted, and in this case, it just might be. 

Looking at the exterior, we see no obvious differences that scream Reserve. Sitting in the driver’s seat won’t reveal any major changes either, until you crank it up and start changing the seating position. 

Does this mean you should avoid buying the Reserve? If you don’t mind spending the extra money, go for it. But you’d probably be better off with the Standard model.