2025 Lincoln Navigator First Look

There’s an advantage to being first — or so we’re often told. And Lincoln certainly seemed to get a leg up on the competition when it introduced the Navigator, the first-of-its-kind full-size luxury SUV, back in 1998.

In its first years on the market, it was, quite literally, a massive hit. However, it soon lost its lead to crosstown rival Cadillac’s Escalade. Now, Lincoln hopes to regain momentum with a major makeover of Navigator that takes it to new extremes of luxury and technology.

The biggest production model Lincoln has ever produced, the Navigator is not a product you opt for if you don’t like to stand 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 filled with high-tech features, such as a nearly pillar-to-pillar digital display, a 28-speaker Revel audio system, and Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise system.

With its “Rejuvenate” mode that includes not only massaging seats but a choice of various calming or energizing scents, Lincoln is billing the 2025 Navigator as a “spa on wheels” which “represents our ultimate expression of sanctuary,” said brand boss Dianne Craig.

2025 Lincoln Navigator: By the Numbers

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

All versions of the Navigator boast the same powertrain, a twin-turbo 3.5L V-6 punching out 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard on all 2025 Navigators.

The big SUV can tow up to 8,700 pounds with the optional Heavy-Duty Tow Package installed.

More Features, Fewer Trims

The 2025 Navigator doesn’t stray far from the look of the old model, though there are some notable tweaks, such as the all-new front end and distinctive turbine-style wheels. The smallest wheels are now 22 inches, with a 24-inch upgrade. Many design details, such as the finish of the new, larger grille, are distinctive to individual trim packages.

Lincoln simplifies the line-up for 2025. There’ll be the choice of either the long or standard wheelbase, and buyers now can opt for either Reserve or Black Label trims. The “Premier” option — which, despite the sound of it, was the entry offering — has been dropped as most buyers went for highly “contented” packages.

As a result, expect to see the base price of the 2025 Lincoln Navigator take a jump from the old model’s $83,000 base. “We’re expecting it to start under $100,000,” Randi Yassay, the SUV’s brand manager, told me.

Seating

The other big choice for buyers will be Navigator’s seating configuration. It can be outfitted for up to eight passengers, depending on the second-row seats. There are captain’s chairs, a three-seat bench or twin “Power Tailored Seats,” which are both heated and ventilated and offer eight-way power controls.

The third row is big enough for two adults — three in a squeeze — and now gets some welcome features, including heated seats and multiple USB ports. The back bench has a 40/20/40 design for expanding cargo capacity.

With the standard wheelbase model, the cargo compartment has a 22.9-cubic-foot capacity, the L jumping to 37.4 cubic feet. Fold down the back two rows and capacity jumps as high as 172.1 cubic feet.

Actually, Lincoln could claim there’s seating for 10. One of the newest features on the 2025 Navigator is a split power tailgate. With a capacity of 600 pounds, the lower portion has been outfitted to serve as a bench for tailgating parties. There’s also an optional shelf that can hold cargo or serve as a table.

A Rejuvenating Ride

“The all-new Navigator is more than just a vehicle; it can become a home away from home and a third space that rejuvenates clients in an entirely new way on and off the road,” boasts Craig.

Trigger Rejuvenate mode and it automatically adjusts the position of the front seats, starts the massage mode, adjusts the interior temperate, and, if you wish, sends out a puff of one of your favorite scents — three cartridges at a time can be loaded into a nook in the center console.

Lighting Is the New Luxury

The Navigator gets an assortment of new colors and material choices for 2025, including three combinations for the top-line Black Label trim. They pair fabrics, woods, metals and textures, traditional elements of the upscale “experience.” But lighting has become another luxury feature, from Navigator’s “animated” headlamps and cross-grille light bar to the ambient lighting elements in the cabin.

Arguably, the most dramatic new features in the 2025 model is the introduction of a 48-inch panoramic display that sits atop the now-lowered instrument panel. First seen on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, it replaces the conventional gauge and infotainment screens — and obviates the need for an additional head-up display.

The system is divided up into zones, the section in front of the driver presenting the normal assortment of gauge read-outs, the middle section reserved for navigation and other critical functions. The last portion can be configured to handle three widgets, such as fuel economy or the weather forecast.

To make it easier to see the gauge group, Navigator now gets a smaller steering wheel flattened both top and bottom. The wheel features new capacitive buttons that contextually adapt to what the driver needs at the moment, such as operating the cruise control or adjusting outside mirrors. Other key functions, including climate settings, are handled by an 11.1-inch touchscreen on 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 boasts a virtual voice assistant — as well as access to Amazon’s Alexa. It upgrades to a 5G cellular connection and offers an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

A range of vehicle settings can be customized and paired with individual keyfobs or with a smartphone, which serve as a keyfob alternative.

Navigator now becomes the newest Lincoln model to add BlueCruise capability. That’s the Level 2+ system developed by the brand’s parent, Ford Motor Co. It allows hands-free operation on over 100,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian roadways and, in version 1.4, adds features such as the ability to execute a pass simply by tapping the turn signal stalk. Navigator comes with a 4-year subscription to the system.