Lincoln’s redesign of the Navigator three-row SUV presents a tech-rich future for the brand, evolving the brand’s offerings in the smaller Nautilus into a true flagship package.
The Lincoln Navigator remains the brand’s flagship, attracting younger, more affluent customers. It surprised the world as the first luxury SUV when it debuted in 1998. The Cadillac Escalade arrived shortly after, and the two have been locked in a fierce battle for domestic luxury SUV supremacy ever since.
The fifth-generation three-row SUV debuts for the 2025 model year with a new exterior design, new interior options and more luxury for second- and third-row passengers.
All body panels are new except the doors, which give the model a new upright shape. Lincoln carried over the Nautilus’ signature light bar, but doubled it for the Navigator. The light bar sweeps across the headlights in front, like the wings of a bird, and the taillights sweep down in the rear, as if the vehicle were in flight.
The Navigator badge on the fender is larger than on the outgoing model, and Lincoln has removed the chrome and added more satin finishes.
As with many Ford vehicles, the digital keypad is still on the door for keyless unlocking.
Twenty-two-inch wheels are standard, and a selection of new 24-inch wheels are available for those looking to upgrade.
The discounted Navigator Reserve model, shown at an exclusive media preview in Detroit earlier this week, featured “atmospheric” styling, in the words of a company spokesperson, with light paint but dark, copper accents on the sides, front and rear, and wheels, highlighting the luxury details buyers can get even on a tighter budget.
The Navigator now features a split tailgate, which includes a large upper panel and a smaller lower panel. They work separately to hold cargo in place, allowing users to reach in and grab items without having to open the entire door. Owners simply need to be near the Navigator’s rear door with the key fob to have it open, hands-free. No foot action to trigger a sensor is required.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
The BMW X5 and Range Rover have similarly styled tailgates.
“It’s one thing if a football drops, it’s a whole different story if you get an expensive bottle of wine that falls in the driveway. We made it really accessible, really usable without the tailgate going down, but we really evolved it from that simple principle to hollow out the rear of the vehicle, really a destination for our customers, and really pull the luxury all the way to the rear of the vehicle,” said Earl Lucas, exterior design manager Newsweek.
“And you can see, we created a seat for after a long day of golf. We put in a mat to make it a little more comfortable. In the same thought process, we talked about changing those golf shoes after you leave the course, so we put in a light that comes on with the tailgate lift.”
There are also two USB charging ports and a 120-volt outlet in the cargo area, making the Navigator more functional for families on the go.
Lincoln has upgraded the second- and third-row seats for this generation, as well as the rear-seat entertainment system. Lincoln says the screens now work more like Apple iPads with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Users can share a movie or watch their own.
Heated third-row seats will now be available as an option. The third row now has a 40/20/40 split, allowing for a bucket seat/armrest configuration for passengers.
The Navigator’s second-row seats are nearly as luxurious as those up front, with available heating, cooling and massage functions as well as a push-button access to the third row.
Front passengers are greeted by a 48-inch widescreen display on top of the dashboard, paired with the standard touchscreen below it, which forms a combined infotainment portal. This large screen, like the one in the Nautilus, can display navigation, music, weather and other information in several customizable zones. It’s flanked by copper-accented Revel speakers that match those in the doors and rear area.
The uniquely shaped steering wheel of the Nautilus also finds its place in the Navigator. It has a selection of digital buttons and a few physical controls. The volume is adjusted via a crystal disc on the center console, but there are also customizable controls on the steering wheel. With Google Assistant, many of the main functions can be operated by voice command.
Lincoln interior designers explained that they wanted to improve the look of the dashboard (IP), getting rid of unnecessary buttons and switches for an interior spa feel. They moved the climate controls to the touchscreen, as seen on some newer electric vehicles, including Rivian and Tesla.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
“It’s all about eliminating clutter. We want simplicity. We want it to be modern. We’ve lowered the IP a little bit, and with the new positioning, we can have a two-tone IP. That’s really allowed for a lot of things. It extends into a nice, soft, curved space, but then it flows right into your door, which creates a continuous design look,” said Marcia Salzberg of Lincoln Color and Materials. Newsweek.
A Rejuvenate car spa-like experience uses air conditioning, fragrances, soothing images and heated massaging seats to relax the driver while parked, either after work and before the commute, or after the commute and before the party.
Newsweek The automaker had already introduced this feature on the Nautilus earlier this year, when it said the technology would be implemented on the 2025 model of the vehicle.
Blue Cruise, which allows for hands-free, eyes-up driving, is standard on all 2025 Lincoln Navigators for four years, with no subscription fee. The system is currently in its fourth iteration and offers improvements in lane centering, smoothness and available highway miles, according to Lincoln.
Newsweek I tested the latest version of BlueCruise in the Ford F-150 during the vehicle’s first road test a few months ago and found it to be vastly improved and competitive with General Motors’ SuperCruise.
Lincoln Navigator battles Cadillac Escalade
The redesigned next-generation 2025 Lincoln Navigator comes close to what was expected in an effort to appeal to customers who now also have a plethora of options from Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet and Rivian to choose from. More importantly, its technology upgrades bring it closer to the Cadillac Escalade, long considered the leader in the luxury segment.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allow you to hitch a trailer, are available. Lincoln says 30 percent of its owners do some amount of towing, and the Navigator can tow 8,700 pounds.
One thing remains the same for this generation: the powertrain, which is still a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It produces 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. That’s more than the base Cadillac Escalade and less than the supercharged Escalade V.
All-wheel drive and adaptive suspension are also standard with driving modes for more comfortable or aggressive driving.
Asked about competitors like Cadillac and others, Lincoln officials explained that there are differences in personalities and catalogs.
“Cadillac does a great job of what they do, but they’re a little louder, a little more aggressive, if you will. We’re not aggressive and flashy. We’re about sophisticated, quality craftsmanship, wellness and sanctuary. There’s room for everyone,” Salzberg said.
Order banks for the new SUV will open in October, and it will then be in dealerships next spring.
Lincoln hasn’t revealed pricing yet, but the current version starts at $85,260. The 2024 Cadillac Escalade starts at $81,895, and the new Infiniti QX80 starts at $82,450.
