– Los Angeles, California

The new Lincoln Navigator is, without question, one of the most significantly improved vehicles that’ll launch this year. The 2018 model year overhaul takes the Navigator from worst to first, cementing its place as not only the flagship for the Lincoln brand, but maybe even the best three-row luxury SUV money can buy, full stop.

It starts with incredible presence, a design statement that’s both imposing and alluring in its execution. Bold features like the big headlamps, bright grille, 22-inch wheels, and full-width taillights make a strong impression. The Navigator concept that stunned us in 2016 has transitioned to road-going form with only minor changes (you didn’t really think those gullwing doors would make it to production, did you?), and while I won’t go so far as to say it’s immediately recognizable as a Lincoln – what is, if I’m honest? – there’s no arguing this thing turns heads wherever it goes.

Lincoln will continue to offer the Navigator in standard- and extended-wheelbase L body styles, the latter of which adds a foot of overall length to the normal version pictured here.

Yes, it’s huge, but not a drastic departure from the 2017 Navigator; dimensionally speaking, the length, width, height, and wheelbase are all within an inch or two of its predecessor. Lincoln will continue to offer the Navigator in standard- and extended-wheelbase L body styles, th...