LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

LINCOLN UUPDATEs ITS FLAGSHIP SUV 

WITH 48-INCH DISPLAY FOR TECH INFO

Introduced as a 1998 model and beating the Cadillac Escalade to the large luxury SUV segment by a year, the Lincoln Navigator moved its fifth generation with its 2025 redesign.

Updates included the introduction of a huge, 48-inch display screen that stretches across the dash, a secondary 11.1-inch touchscreen, Google-based tech functions, more comfort features (including a “rejuvenate” mode that Ford boasts makes the the Navigator a “spa on wheels,” and a split liftgate with the top rising like a typical liftgate and the bottom folding downward like a pickup tailgate.

Tweaks to the front  and rear also feature new headlights and taillights.

The base Premiere trim was dropped for 2025 but returns for 2026 along with the Reserve trim that served as my test vehicle and the top-of-the-line Black Label. There are also L (for long wheelbase) versions of each trim for those seeking a bit more in the way of cargo space.

A 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine powers all three trims in a spirited fashion. It is rated at 440 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, moving its heft from zero-to-60 mph in under six seconds. It also can tow up to 8,700 pounds.

For optimal performance, it drinks recommended premium fuel at a pretty good clip (15 miles-per-gallon city, 22 highway, 17 overall), though you can get by on regular 87 octane.

Standard interior features include a heated steering wheel, power adjustable pedals with memory, power tilt-and-telescoping steering column with memory, power third-row seats that fold flat,
heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, tri-zone climate control, and more.

The 360-degree camera is a must with a vehicle of this size — 210 inches long and 94.6 inches wide including the mirrors — and also standard is Lincoln’s Co-Pilot 360 2.0 package that adds a backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system.

Other standard features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Lincoln’s Revel 28-speaker sound system, adaptive headlamps and LED tail lamps, a panoramic Vista roof with sunshade, and power deployable running boards.

MSRP for the 2026 Lincoln Navigator starts at $94,890 for the Premiere trim, $104,890 for the Reserve, and $122,420 for the Black Label. Long-wheel versions come in at $3,000 higher.

What I liked about the Lincoln Navigator: The cabin is roomy and quiet and has a high-class, sophisticated aura about it with plenty of cargo space available. The twin-turbo V6 packs good punch for a vehicle of this size. The running boards are a must for getting in and out comfortably.

What I didn’t like about the Lincoln Navigator: The mammoth size makes maneuvering in crowded mall parking lots a laborious task. The panoramic dashboard looks impressive but kind of complicates operation of some tech functions. It takes a while to get used to where to look for some of them. Lincoln has put controls for such basic features as adjusting exterior mirrors and the steering wheel on small touchpads on the steering wheel crossbar and they can be very annoying to operate. The steering wheel itself is an odd shape.

Would I buy the Lincoln Navigator? Too big for me, but if you are shopping for a large luxury SUV and the Cadillac Escalade is a bit over-the-top for you, the Navigator is a great option.