When you think “luxury SUV,” the Lincoln Navigator may be the first thing that comes to mind. And that’s for all the right reasons. The Lincoln Navigator has been defining the luxury SUV experience for years. Boasting opulence, size, and performance, the Navigator sets the bar for biggest and best on the market.

The newest Lincoln Navigator is no exception, winning over experts, consumers, and fans since its debut. Here’s why the 2020 Lincoln Navigator may be the best three-row luxury SUV you could buy.

Why U.S. News loves the 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The new 2020 Lincoln Navigator is here to remind people what luxury really means, and the people at U.S. News think it’s the best new large luxury SUV available. Receiving an impressive overall score of 8.8 (out of 10), the 2020 Lincoln Navigator beats out 22 other vehicles to earn the number-one spot as Best Luxury SUV with 3 Rows for 2020.

Though safety ratings aren’t in yet, the redesigned Navigator’s rating from U.S. News critics is an extraordinary 9.7, while both performance and interior categories earn an impressive 8.0 and 8.9, respectively. And that’s because the newest Navigator “has a roomy, opulent interior and provides lots of cargo space.” Paired with “a punchy engine and serene ride,” the 2020 Navigator is formidably luxurious.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator comes with only one powertrain choice, but it’s an impressive one. It gets a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine that makes 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The newest model year also added several items to the Navigator’s list of standard features, “including wireless device charging, ventilated front seats, and the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, which includes forward collision warning, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane keep assist.” 

Where the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stands among the competition

It’s no surprise that U.S. News ranks the 2020 Lincoln Navigator number-one in luxury large SUVs (out of 9) after an impressive review. But the Lincoln Navigator proved its spot at the top by impressing more than the experts at U.S. News.

MotorTrend experts rank the 2020 Lincoln Navigator at the top of its list for 15 Best Large SUVs on the Market for 2020, claiming that its superbness makes it the “new luxury barge on top.” The newest Navigator also nabbed a spot in MotorTrend’s list for Best 3-Row SUVs. 

Consumer Reports finds the competition in the large luxury SUV segment to be tough, with most 2020 models earning overall scores within singular points of each other. While its top choice for the segment earns an overall score of 76, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator still earns an impressive score of 65 that sends it back to the sixth spot.

But the Lincoln Navigator’s biggest competition, the Cadillac Escalade, stands miles behind the Navigator in ratings, with an overall rating of just 41.

What is the best choice for a three-row luxury SUV?

While Consumer Reports’ experts agree that the 2020 Lincoln Navigator “pampers occupants” and “differentiates itself” from the pack, its size and price may simply be “overkill for most buyers.” But if you have the money to spend, the Navigator is worth every penny. If you’re looking for an SUV that feels expensive, the Navigator reeks of it.

The experts at U.S. News definitely loved the Navigator’s engine, lush ride, lavish cabin, and tremendous cargo space, but found that it could stand some improvement in the infotainment area. With its high towing capacity and so-so fuel efficiency, the boring graphics may be forgotten. Regardless, the Navigator stands as an “excellent luxury large SUV” that “should definitely be on your shortlist.”