The Lincoln Navigator L does 17 mpg combined (15 city, 20.3 highway), which works out to about $2,259 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 17.6 mpg while 5.4L 8-cyl does 13 — a difference of $772 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Lincoln Navigator L engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lincoln Navigator L ranges from 17.6 down to 13 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $772 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 15.6 / 20.9 | 2015–2021 | $2,182 | |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 11 / 16 | 2011–2011 | $2,954 |
What that actually costs
The Lincoln Navigator L burns a gallon every 17 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 706 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.188 |
| Fuel per year | $2,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,295 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$329 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,694 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lincoln Navigator L gives up 5.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.3 out there against 15 in town, a 35% drop worth $668 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 15 mpg | $2,560 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.3 mpg | $1,892 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.3 mpg (35%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Navigator L changed over the years
The Navigator L peaked in 2021 at 18 mpg (16 city, 21 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2011 at 13 — 5 mpg apart, or $821 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2021 car does 18. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2020 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2019 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2018 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2017 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2016 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2015 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2011 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Lincoln Navigator L — 2 engines across 2011–2021. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,694. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln Navigator L get?
17 mpg combined on average — 15 in the city and 20.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2021.
How much does a Lincoln Navigator L cost in fuel per year?
About $2,259 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,295 over five years, or 0.188 dollars a mile.
Which Navigator L engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 17.6 mpg, against 13 for the 5.4L 8-cyl — a difference of about $772 a year.
Is the Navigator L good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Navigator L figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lincoln Navigator L is $3,694 against the $2,259 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 18 and 13 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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