There is an advantage to being first – or so we are often told. And Lincoln certainly seemed one step ahead of the competition when the company introduced the Navigator, the first full-size luxury SUV of its kind, in 1998.

In its first few years on the market, it was a huge success in the truest sense of the word. However, it soon lost its lead to rival Cadillac. EscaladeNow Lincoln hopes to regain momentum with a comprehensive redesign of the Navigator that is set to set new standards in luxury and technology.

The Navigator, the largest production model Lincoln has ever produced, is not a product you choose if you don’t like standing out from the crowd. But for 2025, the full-size three-row SUV gets even bolder, with an all-new exterior and what Lincoln calls a “reimagined” interior packed with high-tech features, such as a nearly pillar-to-pillar digital display, a 28-speaker Revel audio system and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free system.

With its “Rejuvenate” mode, which includes not only massage seats but also the choice between various soothing or invigorating scents, Lincoln is promoting the 2025 Navigator as a “spa on wheels” that “represents our ultimate expression of sanctuary,” said brand chief Dianne Craig.

Lincoln Navigator 2025: In numbers

Few things carry over from the previous SUV, starting with the base platform. The 2025 Navigator retains the same dimensions as the fourth-generation model. The stretched package, or Navigator L package, stretches a full 221.9 inches from nose to tail with a 131.5-inch wheelbase. It is 78 inches tall and 80 inches wide. The standard package is 210 inches long and has a 122.5-inch wheelbase.

All versions of the Navigator feature the same powertrain, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on all 2025 model year Navigators.

The large SUV can tow up to 8,700 pounds with optional heavy-duty towing package installed.

More functions, fewer cuts

The 2025 Navigator looks little different from the old model, but it does feature some notable changes, such as the all-new front end and distinctive turbine-style wheels. The smallest wheels are now 22 inches, with an upgrade to 24 inches. Many design details, such as the finish of the new, larger grille, are unique to individual trim packages.

Lincoln is simplifying its lineup for 2025. There will be a choice between the long or standard wheelbase, and buyers can now opt for Reserve or Black Label trim levels. The Premier option – which, despite how it sounds, was the entry-level offering – has been eliminated because most buyers opted for very “content” packages.

As a result, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator’s base price is likely to rise from the old model’s $83,000. “We expect it to start under $100,000,” Randi Yassay, the SUV’s brand manager, told me.

Seating

The other big choice for buyers is the Navigator’s seating configuration. Depending on the second-row seats, it can be equipped for up to eight passengers. There are captain’s seats, a three-person bench seat, or two “Power Tailored Seats” that are both heated and ventilated and have eight-way adjustable power controls.

The third row seats two adults – three in a tight space – and now has some welcome features, including heated seats and multiple USB ports. The rear seat has a 40/20/40 design to expand cargo capacity.

The standard-wheelbase model has a cargo area of ​​22.9 cubic feet, while the L model has 37.4 cubic feet. If you fold down the two rear rows of seats, the capacity increases to 172.1 cubic feet.

Actually, Lincoln could claim there is seating for 10 people. One of the newest features of the 2025 Navigator is a split power tailgate. With a load capacity of 270 kg, the lower part has been equipped to serve as a bench for parties with friends. There is also an optional shelf that can hold cargo or serve as a table.

A refreshing ride

“The all-new Navigator is more than just a vehicle. It can become a second home and a third space, energizing customers in entirely new ways on and off the road,” boasts Craig.

When you activate Rejuvenate mode, the position of the front seats is automatically adjusted, massage mode is activated, the interior temperature is adjusted and a hint of your favorite fragrance is released if desired. Three cartridges can be loaded at a time in a corner of the center console.

Lighting is the new luxury

The Navigator gets a selection of new colors and materials for 2025, including three combinations for the top Black Label trim. They combine fabrics, wood, metal and textures, traditional elements of the upscale “experience.” But lighting has also become another luxury feature, from the Navigator’s “animated” headlights and the light bar above the grille to the ambient lighting elements in the cabin.

Perhaps the most dramatic change in the 2025 model is the introduction of a 48-inch panoramic display that sits above the now-lowered instrument panel. First used in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, it replaces the traditional gauge and infotainment screens – and eliminates the need for an additional head-up display.

The system is divided into zones. The area in front of the driver shows the usual displays, the middle area is reserved for navigation and other important functions. The last area can be configured to handle three widgets, for example for fuel consumption or the weather forecast.

To make the display easier to see, the Navigator now has a smaller steering wheel that is flattened at the top and bottom. The steering wheel has new capacitive buttons that adapt to the driver’s current needs depending on the context, such as operating the cruise control or adjusting the exterior mirrors. Other important functions, including the climate settings, are controlled via an 11.1-inch touchscreen in the center console.

Hands off

The 2025 Navigator is loaded with new tech features, including an upgraded 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system. The new Google-powered infotainment system now includes a virtual voice assistant—as well as access to Amazon’s Alexa. It has 5G cellular connectivity and offers a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

A number of vehicle settings can be customized and paired with individual key fobs or with a smartphone that serves as a key fob alternative.

The Navigator is now the latest Lincoln model to feature BlueCruise, the Level 2+ system developed by the brand’s parent company, Ford Motor Co. It enables hands-free operation on more than 100,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian roads and, in version 1.4, offers features such as the ability to pass with a simple tap of the turn signal stalk. The Navigator comes with a 4-year subscription to the system.

Availability of the Lincoln Navigator 2025

Lincoln has yet to announce some key details, including fuel economy and exact pricing of various trim packages and options.

The automaker is expected to open an order bank later this year. The first Lincoln Navigator 2025 will be US showrooms in spring 2025.