A full-size luxury SUV is hard to beat for carrying people, hauling cargo, and towing loads in comfort and style. With the redesigned 2025 Navigator, Lincoln hopes it is the one to beat in the segment. Lincoln has equipped its large-and-in-charge luxo-barge with appealing design, impressive technology, and a compelling blend of power, efficiency, and capability. So, if your budget allows a six-figure expenditure, put the new 2025 Lincoln Navigator on the shopping list.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
In addition to its revised styling, new wheels sized up to 24 inches in diameter, and Split Gate rear cargo access, the new Navigator has a redesigned interior with a 48-inch panoramic display like the one that debuted in the Lincoln Nautilus. Among the many highlights of the Lincoln Digital Experience technology, Rejuvenate meditation and relaxation programs offer a soothing respite from the real world, while Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in offer simplified interaction via their digital voice assistants.
As was true before, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator is available in standard- and long-wheelbase styles, the latter adding extra cargo space behind the third-row seat. From there, you'll choose between Reserve and Black Label trim levels, each available with a package that blacks out the exterior for a custom look. With Reserve trim, that's the Jet Appearance package, while the Black Label Special Edition makes those modifications for the most luxurious Navigators.
Base prices for the 2025 Navigator range from $101,990 to $121,485, including the destination charge.
For this 2025 Navigator review, Lincoln provided a test vehicle equipped with Black Label trim, the Black Label Special Edition package, and extra-cost paint.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $128,340, including the $1,995 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the Louisville, Kentucky, assembly plant.
The accompanying photos depict a 2025 Navigator L Black Label equipped with the new-for-2025 Atmospheric theme. The test vehicle was a standard Navigator Black Label with the Elements theme and the blacked-out appearance package. Aside from cosmetics, the only difference between the two was the Navigator L's extra cargo space behind the third-row seat.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Power-deploying running boards are standard on the 2025 Navigator, and you need them to climb up and into this full-size SUV. After settling into the Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and, in the Black Label, massage, the first thing you'll notice is the new Navigator's unusual dashboard design.
Spanning nearly the width of the windshield, a 48-inch panoramic display shows several panels of configurable data in one of several themes. To program and control the distant display, Lincoln provides an 11.1-inch touchscreen within easy reach. This screen is your primary access point to the Lincoln Digital Experience and also provides menus for adjusting the SUV's features and settings.
That deep integration with the technology allows Lincoln to simplify the Navigator's cabin, but I think they took things too far. For example, to adjust air vent flow and direction, you must find the correct menu to make the adjustment on the display screen, which is distracting while driving.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Black Label trim upgrades the SUV's interior with exclusive themes called Invitation, Enlighten, and Atmospheric (shown above). They feature premium leather, an artificial suede headliner, upgraded ambient lighting, and exclusive floor mats. For the most part, the Navigator's materials meet expectations for a luxury vehicle priced over $100,000.
Due to the 30-way power adjustment, finding a perfect position in the Navigator Black Label's Perfect Position front seats can take some time. However, once you do, you'll likely discover they’re exceptionally comfortable. This version of the SUV extends the heating, ventilation, and massage functions to the second-row captain's chairs, and the third row is also heated.
Oddly, the Navigator Black Label doesn't feel roomy in the second and third rows. Facing rigid seatbacks that are unfriendly to knees, rear passengers may find legroom to be unexpectedly snug. Separately, though, the seats are exceptionally comfortable, and adults can ride in the third row for extended periods without complaint.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
As expected, interior storage space is generous, and there is plenty of cargo space inside the Navigator. You'll open the Navigator's power hands-free Split Gate to access it. The Split Gate is a new approach for Lincoln and is similar to what you'll find on a BMW X7. The upper portion rises like a traditional liftgate, while the lower portion drops like a tailgate.
Lincoln says you can use the tailgate as a bench seat, like when you're watching kids play sports or sunsets at a local beach. It can support 500 pounds, and the optional Tiered Cargo Area Management System can serve as a backrest, a serving table, or a shelf to help organize the cargo area.
The Split Gate is a differentiator for the Navigator but can also make it hard to reach items in the cargo area. That's especially true with the Navigator L, which has 36.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat compared to the standard Navigator at 21.6 cubic feet. The remaining cargo measurements are 60.8 cubes behind the second row (75.4 in the Navigator L) and a maximum of 107 cubic feet behind the front seats (121.6 in the Navigator L).
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The new Navigator is the latest Lincoln Digital Experience infotainment system recipient. In this model, it combines a 48-inch panoramic display with an 11.1-inch touchscreen that serves as a control center (shown above). It's undeniably impressive technology.
Standard highlights include:
I used Google Built-in, Apple CarPlay, and the Rejuvenate Waterfall Meditation program during my testing.
As expected, Google Assistant did a great job of quickly and accurately responding to conversational commands. However, though I was already listening to SiriusXM, it could not find one of several reggae music channels when I said: "I want to listen to reggae music." Also, though it changed the cabin temperature without any trouble, it could not activate the driver's seat ventilation system.
In my opinion, a robust voice-recognition system is absolutely necessary in vehicles like the new Navigator, where so many features and functions are only available through the touchscreen. Reducing physical controls without giving a driver voice-controlled replacements is a recipe for distraction and frustration.
I had no trouble pairing my iPhone 16, running Apple CarPlay, or streaming Apple Music. With the Revel Ultima 3D's sound settings centered and when using the Stereo soundstage, it delivered a satisfying listening experience.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Rejuvenate is an app accessible on the 11.1-inch touchscreen. Waterfall Meditation is a collaboration with the people behind the Calm app, and you can choose five- or 10-minute sessions. The panoramic display changes to a waterfall scene, the driver's seat reclines while adding heat and massage, soothing music plays, and the Lincoln Digital Scent technology adds a pleasant fragrance to the cabin.
A narrator guides you through the session, and I must admit, I felt plenty of stress drain out of me while using it. However, Rejuvenate only works for the driver's seat, so a couple seeking to embark on a refreshing journey together can't do so. That seems like a significant oversight on Lincoln's part.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Lincoln equips the new Navigator with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. It provides 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque—enough to move the three-ton Navigator with some authority. A 10-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the wheels through a four-wheel-drive transfer case.
I tested the Navigator in the Normal driving mode and in two-wheel drive, netting an observed fuel economy of 20.3 mpg. That number is higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate of 17 mpg in combined driving, mainly because I descended 4,000 feet in elevation and traveled primarily on highways with light traffic.
The twin-turbo V6 makes a pleasing sound when revving, delivers rapid acceleration, and holds plenty of power in reserve for passing slower vehicles. On occasion, when requesting a burst of acceleration at lower city speeds, the transmission proved slow to downshift, creating a delay in response to input at the pedal.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Standard equipment includes 22-inch wheels and an adaptive damping suspension. My test vehicle had larger 24-inch wheels wrapped in P285/40R24 all-season tires, and I suspect they had an adverse effect on the Navigator's ride quality. Always busy and sometimes jittery, the ride is not what a luxury SUV buyer might expect. So, while the oversized wheels look great, there is a downside regarding comfort.
To ensure proper visibility of the panoramic display, Lincoln equips the Navigator with a small steering wheel that is flat on the top and bottom. It looks odd, and it feels weird when you're using it. Also, likely due to the wheels and tires, it constantly thrums in your hands in response to the road shock transmitting through the steering column.
Lincoln rates the Navigator to tow up to 8,700 pounds. To use that capacity, the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package equips the Navigator with a trailer brake controller and a Slow Climb driving mode to optimize the drivetrain for powering up grades.
I traversed some mountain roads without a trailer attached, and the Navigator demonstrated good grip and faithful braking. However, you're always aware of the SUV's weight and height, so this Lincoln doesn't tempt you to drive it fast. Instead, it excels as a quiet and comfy highway cruiser, and that's where the standard BlueCruise system shows its stuff.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Lincoln equips every 2025 Navigator with the latest version of its BlueCruise hands-free driving-assistance technology. With the driver's permission, it takes complete control of the SUV when traveling on approved roads, can execute lane changes when the driver uses the turn signal, and can adjust the Navigator's position within a lane to give large trucks in adjacent lanes extra room.
However, BlueCruise is just one of several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) Lincoln installs in the 2025 Navigator. As part of the Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 collection of tech, the Navigator has:
Considering the Navigator's size, the parking sensors, surround-view camera, and automatic braking systems are helpful, especially when maneuvering in cramped situations. The last three items on the list above are also beneficial when towing, in particular the Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology, which steers the Navigator to achieve the desired result based on inputs the driver makes using a control knob on the dashboard.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
However, it is BlueCruise that is most impressive. While driving south on Interstate 15 between Temecula and Escondido, California, the BlueCruise system operated continuously without any unexpected cancellations, handled lane changes when I signaled, and smoothly responded to changing traffic situations.
Earlier in the day, observing as a passenger while BlueCruise navigated thick northbound traffic on Interstate 5 near Carlsbad, I witnessed the in-lane repositioning technology giving the numerous semi-trucks a wider berth as we passed them. That should offer Navigator owners additional peace of mind.
BlueCruise is an impressive system, but like nearly all similar technologies, the driver must always remain alert, attentive, and ready to take control at any moment. Checking email and scrolling the Gram are not good ideas, and the driver monitoring technology will shut BlueCruise down if it determines you're preoccupied with something else.
At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has reported crash-test results for the 2025 Navigator.
According to the JD Power 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the previous-generation Infiniti QX80 ranks highest in the Large Premium SUV segment. The Cadillac Escalade and the Land Rover Range Rover are the next-highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2024 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Land Rover Range Rover ranks highest in the Large Premium SUV segment. The Cadillac Escalade and the Mercedes-Benz GLS are the next-highest-ranked models.
Other 2025 Navigator competitors include the BMW X7, GMC Yukon Denali, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
You have more choices than you might realize when planning to spend big money on a big luxury SUV. Among them, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator is an appealing pick.
The 2025 Navigator boasts tastefully subdued styling, a high-tech interior, comfortable seats, capable cargo and towing capacities, and a strong but efficient twin-turbo V6 engine. The Lincoln Digital Experience infotainment, 48-inch panoramic display, and BlueCruise hands-free driving system all represent leaps forward for the Navigator. If Lincoln continues to add incremental but meaningful refinements, this SUV should remain competitive for years to come.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with 30 years of experience in the field and has held automotive editorial leadership positions at Edmunds, JD Power, and The New York Daily News. Today, Chris owns a content agency called Speedy Daddy Media, and in addition to JDPower.com, his work appears on Capital One Auto Navigator, CarGurus, and Edmunds.
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