Exploring Ontario: Navigating Niagara Falls in the Navigator

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After well over a year at home, we finally worked up the courage to get out of our house and spend some time in another house. A bit pointless, now that I’m thinking about it, but a change in scenery was exciting for the kids. We booked a house (on Airbnb) near Clifton Hills in Niagara Falls and impatiently awaited the day when we could pack a bag filled with clothes and essentials for two whole nights.

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The tester car for the week was the 2021 Lincoln Navigator Reserve, and I was excited because I assumed the much-needed space would be great for travelling. Everyone would comfortably fit in this luxury SUV that has a starting price of $97,000, and what more could I really ask for? Well, I could ask for trunk space, but just like most three-row SUVs — apparently big 22-inch wheels don’t discriminate — there was extremely limited trunk space, but we can circle back around to that in a bit.

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I get overwhelmed when I get into luxury cars (as though I’m not worthy), and doubly overwhelmed by luxury mixed with a size more intimidating than anything I’ve ever driven. Thank goodness for the step that pops out when the key gets close; I definitely needed the steps to help me in.

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I had to mountain-climb in before pulling out of the lot, then the anxiety kicked in because all of a sudden I could feel the eyes on me. Maybe it’s just me, and maybe no one on the outside cares that I’m in the Navigator, but inside it’s a lot to handle. I was freaking out a bit; I hate attention, or even thought of attention.

This isn’t a car I can learn in a day; I don’t even think a month with it would allow me to reap the benefits and encounter all it has to offer. Needless to say, everything is a distraction to someone who’s never driven one. But, I will say this: the nice thing about the Lincoln is that it’s got some pretty standard things that made it simple to drive home.  And though I’m not a huge fan of the gear selector buttons, it’s better than a knob or a fake-out wiper switch.

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At first, I wasn’t super comfortable in the driver’s seat, despite adjusting it forward and as high as it could possibly go, until I realized the gas and brake pedals can be moved forward, where is much easier access for my short legs.

I managed to back this monstrous vehicle into my driveway, but please, don’t ask me how, as I’m still impressed and equally surprised. If it wasn’t for the adequate camera quality, there’s no way I was making it around the vehicle at the bottom of my driveway. I can’t fathom how Navigator drivers backed in anywhere pre-reverse cams. The bird’s eye view is a necessity for me or I would have to get out the vehicle to ensure both the front and back ends weren’t blocking anything.

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The next morning, we packed clothes, toiletries, and a few other essentials for the five of us, into one large duffle bag. We also had a bag of snacks, glow sticks, and books because kids get bored easily. My husband’s 15-year-old cousin came along for the fun, equipped with one red backpack. We also needed the stroller, because walking up and down Clifton Hill isn’t something you want to do with a two-year-old.

So, in total, we had a few things of varying sizes that filled the entire trunk. What’s the point of a massively spacious car and extremely large and comfy seats, if they can’t be taken advantage of during long road trips? If we had one more bag, we would probably have to trade it for a kid, which, in hindsight, might not be a horrible idea.

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Before leaving, we played around with the seat settings, which are found on the door like a Mercedes. In addition to familiar seat adjustments that go up, down, forward, or back, there’s also an option to make each individual leg comfortable. To the right of these fancy buttons are controls for a massage, which can also be easily adjusted on the touch screen monitor. I turned the bum massage off because driving or not, it’s a very weird feeling — but if you like it, then cool!

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Not even 15 seconds into the drive, my four-year-old started asking, “Are we almost there?” My six-year-old was a little more relaxed and waited a full minute before asking, “How many minutes until we get there?” And at stoplights my two-year-old kept yelling at me to “GO!” As a note, rear seat entertainment is an option that can be added for an extra $2,350, but an iPad might have worked just as well.

The Navigator is large, and for that reason I can understand some minor faults. Every single bump on the hour-long (maybe a little more, thanks to traffic) drive was felt, almost like you’re riding at the back of a school bus. As we finally pulled into the driveway of our rented house, my third row passengers got out of the vehicle with tummy aches.

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We entered a cute little home that someone is surely making a killing off of, especially for the summer (the house is completely booked on Airbnb for the rest of the season). We chose a house instead of a hotel because it gave us way more space (four bedrooms) and the option to cook some meals (and by us, I mean my husband’s parents; I can’t cook).

It was nice being in a home away from home because it was really easy to run out to a grocery store to buy some things we forgot. Personally, I think it would have been a lot more convenient to rush out to a store in a smaller vehicle, instead of taking the time to get comfortable in the Navigator and ensuring I could see everything around me before pulling out of a driveway or into a tiny spot in the crowded parking lot of a grocery store.

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Ultimately, I think the Navigator is too big for my daily errands, but my husband, who is a lot taller than me, wouldn’t mind driving it around. It also doesn’t cater to my needs with three small children. Imagine a trip to Costco with three kids, and no trunk space  — now, imagine that same trip to Costco with two kids in the middle row and having the option of a ton of space for $400 worth of everything you can possibly fit. Two kids versus three kids is a big difference when it comes to three-row SUVs, but I can see the appeal with a smaller family. You’ve got the optional back row for friends or extended family, or whoever else may need a ride. It’s just not for me.

The drive back home was a bit better. Everyone was tired and ready for a vacation from our two-day vacation in a house away from home. Why is vacationing so tiring?

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The centre consoles in between the front seats and the second row’s Captain’s chairs might be great for everyday living, but for a road trip, it was a waste of valuable space for larger items.

Throughout the week, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, as the elegant Ceramic Pearl paint seemed to change colours — as it should, for an added $900.

It’s probably also good to note that upon returning the car, the dash showed an average of 15.7 L/100 km (a little higher than its advertised rating of 15.0 city driving), and with gas prices just over $1.30/L, it cost a bit over $100 to fill up the tank that was still roughly a quarter full.

Driving the Navigator has been one of the most excruciatingly embarrassing things I’ve done in my life. It’s not a horrible car, but it’s so large and in charge, and makes me feel like everyone’s staring at me, wondering how I could afford this car, or why I felt the need to stand out in a crowd and drive something so massive. I hate that feeling. But if you like it, then all the power to you — get a Navigator.