The 2025 Lincoln Navigator arrives with a bold refresh that positions it as a compelling contender in the ultra-competitive full-size luxury SUV market. While its mechanical foundation remains largely unchanged, Lincoln has managed to coax better performance, inject significant visual upgrades, and implement impressive in-cabin technology. But beneath the impressive surface, some traditional flaws remain.
Lincoln continues to equip the Navigator with its 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing a familiar 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. However, by shedding nearly 60 pounds and refining the vehicle’s responsiveness, Lincoln has transformed its performance. The latest Black Label 4×4 model achieves 0–60 mph in just 5.1 seconds—an improvement of 0.7 seconds over its predecessor—and clocks a 13.7-second quarter-mile time.
Braking is another highlight. The 2025 Navigator stops from 60 mph in just 119 feet, down from 135 feet previously. That’s a substantial difference in real-world safety terms. Around the skidpad, it held 0.79 g of lateral grip, beating both the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Cadillac Escalade, while also improving its figure-eight time and average handling g-force.
On the road, the Navigator handles better than its size suggests—at least on smooth surfaces. The steering is sharp, and the body settles confidently into corners. However, the absence of air suspension, a key feature in its rivals, reveals its limits. Over rough or uneven pavement, the Navigator exhibits noticeable bounce and body motion, with the electronically controlled dampers struggling to keep up. The result is a ride that can be less refined than expected, particularly for a vehicle in this price bracket.
Lincoln’s interior refresh is dominated by a sweeping new 48-inch display that stretches across the dash and seamlessly integrates with a smaller central touchscreen. It’s visually stunning and functionally sound, although the lower placement of the control screen occasionally pulls the driver’s eyes too far from the road. BlueCruise’s attention warnings will remind inattentive drivers to look forward, but the screen placement still poses a usability concern.
Interior styling is elegant from the waist up, with soft-touch materials and a clean, contemporary design. But from the door pulls down, cost-cutting becomes more apparent. Hard plastics reminiscent of Lincoln’s Ford truck cousins show up in the lower cabin and third-row seating. Wrinkled leather on touchpoints and an overuse of fingerprint-prone piano black plastics further erode the sense of luxury expected in a $120,000 vehicle.
From the outside, the Navigator carries a striking road presence. It rides high on 22-inch wheels (24-inch wheels are optional) that visually elevate its stature. Most design choices feel refined—until you get to the tail. A smoked plastic insert beneath the taillight bar and a strange upward kink at the corners of the light give the rear an awkward look. However, Lincoln’s new split tailgate—featuring a lower section that folds down picnic-table style—adds a useful touch, especially for loading gear or entertaining.
The Navigator offers several drive modes, though accessing them requires navigating layered touchscreen menus, and the impact of each mode feels minor. Still, straight-line performance is thrilling. The SUV produces an artificial but pleasing engine sound through its speakers, adding character to the acceleration experience. Outside, turbo noises and exhaust whooshes are more pronounced, offering a subtly different personality to those not in the cabin.
Where the Navigator truly shines is in its blend of size, speed, and technology. But at a base price of $118,490—and an as-tested price of $120,490—it lands firmly in premium territory. At that cost, buyers expect not only performance and polish but also an uncompromised ride and top-tier materials throughout. Lincoln gets much of the way there, but rivals like the Escalade and Grand Wagoneer still edge it out in suspension sophistication and rear-seat luxury.
The 2025 Lincoln Navigator is undeniably a major step forward. It’s more stylish, more powerful, and loaded with features that dazzle. But for all its strengths, it’s not the uncontested king of the luxury SUV hill. It’s close—maybe closer than ever—but still has ground to make up to truly lead the segment.
