The Lincoln Navigator L does 18.9 mpg combined (16.4 city, 22.8 highway), which works out to about $2,032 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 20 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 17.8 — a difference of $237 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Lincoln Navigator L engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 24.4 | 2022–2026 | $1,920 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 15.8 / 21.2 | 2017–2021 | $2,157 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.169 |
| Fuel per year | $2,032 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,160 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$93 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,295 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 16.4 mpg | $2,341 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.4 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Navigator L changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2025 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2024 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2022 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 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 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln Navigator L get?
18.9 mpg combined on average — 16.4 in the city and 22.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2026.
How much does a Lincoln Navigator L cost in fuel per year?
About $2,032 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,160 over five years, or 0.169 dollars a mile.
Which Navigator L engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 20 mpg, against 17.8 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $237 a year.
Is the Navigator L good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.