The Lincoln NavigatorLincoln Motor Co.The Lincoln Navigator is one of the original luxury SUVs, offering style and presence that few other vehicles can match. Launched in 1998, the Navigator has since maneuvered through high fuel prices, fickle consumer demands and more competition than ever before. Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Navigator is rejuvenated with Ford Motor Co.'s best technology and clean styling that subtly harks back to Lincoln's peak design era in the 1950s and '60s.I tested the 2026 Lincoln Navigator Reserve for a week, and the eight-passenger SUV stickered for $105,740. It's a heady figure, but the comfortable Navigator is loaded with luxurious features that meet the price tag.Lincoln NavigatorHow Does It Drive?My longest drive came on a rainy morning when I took the Navigator from Detroit's northern suburbs to an event in Saline, Michigan, a 120-mile round trip. It's great having such a commanding vehicle on the road, with an elevated view and plenty of power on tap. Lincoln engineers did an excellent job creating a large SUV that handles well through turns and curves. I felt confident behind the wheel, despite the Navigator's intimidating size. It stretches to 17.5 feet in length (210 inches) and weighs nearly three tons. It's not bad to park, either, as the cameras provide plenty of viewpoints to make sure you dock the Navigator properly.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe BlueCruise driver-assistance system volunteered its services during a rainy spell around the intersection of Interstates 75 and 94 near downtown via a notification in the driver display. I was a little apprehensive as it was rush hour and the weather was dicey, but I pushed the button mounted on the steering wheel and was impressed with BlueCruise's ability to maintain road position and change lanes as needed. I also used BlueCruise on a busy stretch near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the system exhibited poise while keeping me at ease. Systems like Blue Cruise and General Motors' Super Cruise can reduce driver fatigue, and both features have come a long way in their development. They're basically like using cruise control at this point.The Navigator's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque is plenty powerful, giving ample support on the highway and providing ample getup for aggressive launches on surface streets. It's an old-school Lincoln vibe—all of the power needed under the hood—but still refined. The engine works with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.Lincoln Navigator InteriorThe Interior ReviewThe Navigator has a classic, luxurious cabin that impresses all who enter. The screens are dramatic and handsome, featuring elegant colors and useful information. Still, I would prefer more knobs and buttons to balance things out. It's a big vehicle, and sometimes pressing screens for basic functions is harder than simply twisting a knob.The elongated steering wheel, which I first tested in the smaller Lincoln Nautilus, feels strange in the Navigator. I got used to it, though I could see how some might be unnerved with an unconventional steering wheel in this hulking SUV. Lincoln chopped the steering wheels in some of its vehicles to allow better visibility for its sweeping 48-inch display. Regardless, the system provides direct steering feedback.AdvertisementAdvertisementWith soft ambient lighting, a panoramic vista roof (a moonroof) and massaging seats, the Navigator's interior is a first-class experience. I often felt more relaxed after driving. Lincoln's leather seats, a 28-speaker sound system and a "rejuvenation" feature, which releases scents and puts meditative scenes like waterfalls on the screens, all reinforce the luxurious feel. The clamshell rear hatch is a neat feature that makes loading groceries, sporting equipment and all of the necessities of daily life rather easy.The Lincoln Navigator has an updated grille and headlights.Huge Presence, Subtle StylingLincoln slightly toned down the exterior from previous years. The grille is more modern and nicely framed by the adaptive headlights, while the taillights are angled in a new way that's eye-catching and distinctive. Still, the slab sides remain, and my tester had the swirly wheel designs that are hallmarks of so many Navigators.In general it's a familiar yet cleaner take on the idea of a Navigator compared to some of its earlier designs. In contrast, the Cadillac Escalade has grown more severe to the point it's an almost brutalist design, and Lincoln's elegant lines offer a refreshing exercise in simplicity.My VerdictI consider the Navigator to be near the top of the large luxury SUV segment. I think it's more tasteful than its archrival, the Escalade, though the Cadillac has outsold it nearly two-to-one in 2026, and the Escalade is better than ever. I put both a cut above the Infiniti QX80 and Jeep Grand Wagoneer in this highly competitive arena.AdvertisementAdvertisementLincoln has built its modern reputation on crossovers and SUVs, and the Navigator remains a capable, opulent standard bearer for the brand.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
