2025 Lincoln Navigator unveiled: Dramatic styling, advanced tech and ultimate luxury
- The 2025 Navigator gets nearly all new sheet metal ― only the doors carry over from the previous model.
- Signature elements include a light bar across the grille with a lighted Lincoln badge and 3D lighted letters across the tailgate.
- Navigator prices start at $99,995, placing it in the heart of its class.
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator flagship gets dramatic new looks and features, including dramatic exterior lights, a new body and a high-def 48-inch instrument display stretching nearly the width of the big SUV’s dashboard.
Put simply, it’s the most advanced and luxurious Navigator yet.
The Navigator competes with large luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX980, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX 600 and 700h and Mercedes GL.
Lincoln builds two lengths of Navigator: the 210-inch-long base Reserve and the 221.9-inch L.
I spent a day driving a well-equipped Navigator Reserve.
Navigator prices start at $99,995, placing it in the heart of its class.
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator is on sale now.
2025 Lincoln Navigator trim levels and prices
- Reserve: $99,995
- L Reserve: $102,985
- Black Label: $116,495
- L Black Label: $119,490
Source: Edmunds
Prices exclude $1,995 destination charge.
New styling
The 2025 Navigator gets nearly all new sheet metal ― only the doors carry over from the previous model.
Lincoln lowered the Navigator’s front ride height 5 mm and raised the rear 10 mm (about 0.2 and 0.4 inch, respectively). Combined with a rising shoulder line and new lights, the result is a pleasing, slightly forward-leaning stance.
Signature elements:
- A light bar across the grille.
- Lighted Lincoln badge in the grille.
- Full-width LED tail lights that turn upward as the wrap into the rear quarter panels.
- Three-dimensional lighted letters across the tailgate.
- Standard 22-inch and optional 24-inch tires.
Fancy new tailgate
A new two-piece tailgate enables an array of features. Split about seven-eighths to the top-hinged portion, one-eighth to the lower, the tailgate is power operated and can be programmed to open the its two pieces simultaneously or separately.
Benefits:
- With the top portion open, the lower gate forms a barrier to keep cargo from rolling out.
- Open both, and the lower portion can serve as a seat or prep table for tailgates and picnics.
- An adjustable panel from the cargo area’s floor can create a two-level table or a seatback for people perched on the lower tailgate.
- LED lights in the upper tailgate can be directed to make it easy to find cargo or choose from items in the rear.
Lavish new instrument display
A 48-inch wide instrument display stretches nearly the width of the dashboard, at the base of the windshield. Bright, clear and customizable, the display is remarkably intuitive. I adjusted to it almost immediately, and found the display easier to read and use than the readouts commonly packaged into the smaller space behind the steering wheel.
A pair of speakers for the Revel audio system bracket the screen, helping the 28-speaker Revel audio system provide the sense of being seated front-row, center for a performance. (The audio system allows users to select surround settings, too.)
Lincoln lowered the dash and uses a “squirkle” squared-off steering wheel to make the new display visible to drivers of all sizes.
A touch screen mounted in the center stack ― below the 48-inch display ― handles climate controls, most audio functions and offers handy tutorials for voice recognition, driver adjustments, customizing the panoramic display and Blue Cruise hands free driving.
The steering wheel has a couple of multipurpose touch pads to adjust air vents, steering wheel, mirrors, Blue Cruise and more.
Driving impressions
All Navigators come with standard four-wheel drive, a 440-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission and adaptive transmission. Navigators can tow up to 8,700 pounds.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is a new feature that automatically guides the Navigator back to hook up a trailer. Backup Assist also helps with backing trailers into parking spaces, loading docks and boat ramps.
The two systems remove much of the stress of trailering for novices.
The Navigator’s continually adjustable damping system provides a comfortable ride and keeps the big SUV from pitching and leaning on winding roads.
The widely adjustable seats feel great, and now offer heated, ventilated and messaging second row accommodations, along with a leather-wrapped center console with wireless charging.
Key 2025 Lincoln Navigator features
- 48-inch panoramic instrument display.
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist for connecting to trailers.
- 22- or 24-inch wheels.
- Two-piece split power tailgate.
- Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving.
- “Quick tips” explain core features.
What could be better?
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator leaves some room for improvement:
- I found the twin steering-wheel touch pads to adjust the direction of air vents, side mirrors and other functions overcomplicated and finicky. It’s possible everyday drivers will grow accustomed to them, though.
- The Navigator’s EPA estimated 17-mile fuel economy in combined city/highway driving trails nearly all its competitors. The 2025 Lexus LX 700h, in particular, introduces the hybrid technology to the class to notch 20 mpg combined, a whopping 17.6% better than the Navigator.
- While Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving has improved markedly, particularly with confidence inspiring lane centering, it still trails GM’s Super Cruise’s ability to automatically change lanes and function at over 80 mph ― where the prevailing traffic speed frequently is on major highways.
Why buy a 2025 Lincoln Navigator?
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator is luxurious, sophisticated and spacious. The panoramic dashboard display is addictive and towing assistance features are addictive. Lincoln’s interior design and comfort remain among the most distinguished and welcoming on wheels.
2025 Lincoln Navigator at a glance
All-wheel drive seven- or eight-seat Luxury SUV
Base price: $99,995 (All prices exclude $1,995 destination charge.)
On sale now
Price as tested: $106,365
Engine: 3.5L twin-turbo V6
Power: 440 hp @ 5,850 rpm; 510 pound-feet of torque @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
EPA estimated fuel economy: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway/17 combined. Premium fuel for rated power output
Wheelbase: 122.5 inches
Length: 210 inches
Width: 84.6 inches (mirrors folded)
Height: 78 inches
Ground clearance: 8.9 inches
Passenger volume: 172.1 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 21.6 cubic feet behind rear seat; 66.9 behind second row; 121.6 behind front row.
Towing capacity: 8,700 pounds
Curb weight: 5,929 pounds
Assembled in Louisville, Kentucky
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.