As I headed to get a sneak peek at the redesigned 2025 Lincoln Navigator I was skeptical and a little afraid. The current design is one of the most beautiful full sized SUVs on the road. It’s plush, with Bentley-esque details in the Black Label model. It’s filled with clever comforts, including flexible seating and great technology. It’s certainly very capable on and off road. And for families who need car seats for their littles, it’s an elevated choice.
What could Lincoln possibly do to improve one of the best full-sized SUVs on the road? You’ll be surprised; I was.
Interior Tech That Establishes Lincoln as a Leader
A few years ago if you’d asked me “Which automaker has the most advanced multimedia technology,” Lincoln would have been at the middle of the list; good but not ground breaking. Fast forward to 2024 and Lincoln is the brand to follow.
It starts with the panoramic multimedia screen that spans the entire dashboard just under the windshield. It’s stunning, and after driving the Lincoln Nautilus with the same system, I can honestly say that the screen is not distracting and its function is futuristic. You can customize the right side of the screen and set up the driver’s side how you’d like using touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. A second smaller screen that sits on the dashboard just over the center console allows you to further access vehicle functions, entertainment, climate and more. All together it’s quite cool.
Increased Visibility Thanks to the Pano Screen and the Squircle
The panoramic screen adds to the increased visibility in the Lincoln Navigator, as does the squircle.
Squircle? Yes, a square circle steering wheel. It’s flat on top and bottom to reduce the obstruction the top of the wheel can cause; it’s something you didn’t even know existed until you drive a car with a squircle, and then, you’ll always see it. Lincoln added dark leather at the top and light on the sides and bottom for even more guidance for your eyes. Once you experience it, you’ll be grateful for the squircle; its something that I believe we’ll see in every car some day soon.
Google Is At Your Service
Lincoln, like its parent company Ford, is adding Google function to the multimedia systems. In addition to Google apps and maps, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator has “hey Google” voice assistance, a feature we love.
Anyone in the car can ask for things, from turning down the music to getting the weather or time of arrival. We may not love Google for some things these days, but this isn’t one of them. It’s a really good system.
A Bold Exterior Sets the Stage for the Future
The new look of the Lincoln Navigator is sharp and modern thanks to the new grille and tailgate. Overall its lines look more sculpted in the flat gray paint colors we saw it in; it almost had the feel of polished concrete rather than sparkly metal.
The changes add to a look of simplicity. The new mesh and copper grille is horizontally dissected by a light bar and an illuminated Lincoln badge. And the rear lift gate has the Lincoln name illuminated under a light bar that connects the tail lights.
The Clamshell Lift Gate Is a Game Changer
Call me a tailgate geek, but I am obsessed with the new clamshell liftgate on the 2025 Lincoln Navigator. The gate opens both up and down, creating a shelf for sitting and watching a parade or your kids games; it’s a baby-changing table, a sandwich assembly board or a work bench. Lincoln is also adding a dealer optioned table that can be set up in the cargo area for either cargo management or actual use as a table-style shelf. It’s very clever.
The split gate design allows you to grab something from the cooler without moving things around, and it prevents spilled groceries from rolling out of the car when you get home from the store. Anyone who’s had one knows: These are obsession-worthy.
New Atmostpheric and Enlighten Interior Themes Add More Choices
Lincoln added two new interior themes, a designed palette of colors and materials designed to create a distinct mood: Atmospheric is light gray with dark lower surfaces; Enlighten is brown and dark gray with a graduated perforation pattern on the seats. In the Atmospheric trim, surfaces are finished in open-pore ash dotted with inlaid crystal drops. The look is designed to glow in the daylight or at night. I can’t wait to see it out in the natural light.
Spa on Wheels: Massage, Music, Fragrance and Rejuvenate Mode
Lincoln has been focused on the idea of wellness for a while—honestly, we are thrilled the company regards beautiful design, crystal accents and massaging seats as a wellness feature and even added massage function to the center seats in the Black Label editions.
But then, there’s a full wellness offering: Lincoln added a “Digital Scent” fragrance diffuser under the center arm rest (a variety of fragrances can be added via $30 cartridges) which can be combined with music, seat massage, air temperature and visuals on the panoramic screen. It all plays out together in “Rejuvenate mode.” Tap the icon to start the experience and the car takes over (not while it’s moving, of course). I tried this out and it’s a pretty good way to end a day, shake off stress or simply, wait for your kids to get out of school.
How Kids Car Seats Fit
The Lincoln Navigator is a great family car if simply for all the space and capability for kids and car seats. There are 4 full sets of LATCHes—two in the center outboard seats and two in the outboard 3rd row seats. And then, there’s this: Great access to the 3rd row. On the Black Label edition the center seats are powered; just push the button and the seat moves forward and tilts, though it won’t do this with a kids car seat installed.
In the Reserve edition this function is a power release; a button releases the seat, allowing it to slide and tilt forward; it’s easy but it takes some assistance.
Center row seats are spacious and will accommodate rear facing kids car seats nicely; I measured about 33”-36” behind the driver’s seat set for me (I’m 5’8”). Buyers who need two rear facing car seats many want to consider the Reserve model with a center row bench; the Black Label comes with center row captains chairs only.
How Comfortable is the 3rd Row?
I climbed in the back and found it surprisingly comfortable. I had plenty of head room and knee room. There are air vents, USB ports and cup holders, and it was easy to get in and out. And this is one of the things we love about the Navigator: Lots of space in the 3rd row.
Four Years of Blue Cruise Hands Free Driving Is Included
Who doesn’t like a helping hand every now and then? That’s exactly what Blue Cruise is: semi-automated driving that will keep you in your lane and let you take your hands off the wheel when driving on certain mapped highways—as long as you’re paying attention to the road. Lincoln will include four years of Blue Cruise with purchase. From there it’s available by subscription.
For 2025, Only Two Trims Instead of Three
For 2025 buyers will no longer have the option of a Premiere trim; Navigator will only be available in Reserve and Black Label. This will likely increase the price a bit too; Premium was the lowest priced model, starting at about $85K; the 2024 Reserve starts at $97K and the 2024 Black Label starts at $113K. Lincoln hasn’t announced pricing for 2025 yet and probably won’t until closer to the on-sale date in early 2025, but expect prices to increase at least a bit over 2024.
What Didn’t Change: Space, Capacity, and the Engine
Lincoln left a lot of good things alone for 2025; it’ll be powered by the same twin turbo V6 that generates 440 HP. It’s a completely competent powertrain and can tow up to 8,700 lbs.
Another thing that didn’t change is the overall size and capacity of the Navigator: It seats 7 or 8 passengers and has room for 21 cubic feet of cargo behind the 3rd row and 103 cubic feet behind the second row.
And Then, Our Favorite Detail Remains
Every good SUV needs a place to put your handbag, and thanks to Lincoln’s floating center console design, it’s front and center. The console floats over a storage bin that allows a large tote bag to sit right next to the driver between the console and the dashboard. It’s elegant and pretty when there’s nothing in it, and when your handbag is tucked in, it’s out of the way but accessible.
This may be my favorite feature in the Lincoln Navigator, though the panoramic screen and squircle might win that contest. Or, the massaging seats and rejuvenate mode. I’m reserving judgment until I spend more time in this SUV. There are a lot of really great things to love for 2025.
Disclosure: I was Lincoln’s guest for this preview; travel was provided but all opinions are my own.
