First Drive: 2025 Lincoln Navigator L

FIRST IMPRESSION: Brimming with stature and style, the 5th gen Navigator is a refreshing update—with a few purposeful and useful tweaks—for the granddaddy of full-size luxury SUVs.

We can’t believe it’s taken this many years to finally get our mitts on the Lincoln Navigator L, but it’s obvious why this enduring vehicle is among the industry’s favorites. Big, ridiculously roomy, and criminally comfortable, this feels like a no-brainer fleet addition—and it is for plenty of operators.

The model we tested, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator L Reserve 4x4 (the trim for livery pricing), is the newest generation of the nameplate, complete with an exterior and interior glow-up. For brevity’s sake, we’ve limited our specs to the L, although the Navigator is available in the standard wheelbase. It clocks in 2 inches taller and about an inch wider than last year, but it carries over the V6 twin turbo 3.5L EcoBoost engine from previous models, delivering 450 hp. Lincoln still uses the unique push button “piano key” shifter, but it dropped the base Premiere trim for this year. The panoramic roof is standard, as is Lincoln’s award-winning BlueCruise, its active driving assistance system. If you have a distaste for chrome, you can also choose the optional Jet Appearance package, which blacks out the badges.

You can choose from either two folding bucket seats (captain’s chairs) or a full bench with power recline for the second row, and fully folding, power recline seats for the third. You can also upgrade with an optional second-row console in between those captain’s chairs. Passengers have all they need to feel comfortable, including plenty of USB ports in all rows as well as controls in the second for moving the front passenger seat for extra legroom, dual climate, and audio. Because it’s a full-size, extended SUV, there’s generous legroom in both rows (up to 41 inches and 36.5 inches in the second and third rows, respectively). Headroom remains unchanged for the third row (37.4 inches), but the second row loses about two (37.9 inches compared to the previous 40 inches). Power retracting running boards help with entry and egress.

The biggest change was actually a wow moment for our testers: a stunning 48-inch, curved display on the dash, which is controlled by another touchscreen in the center cluster. The theory behind the eye-level display is that it helps keep the driver focused on the road rather than looking down to read the instrument cluster. The panel directly in front of the driver has all the essential information, but the other three panels can be customized to display widgets like audio information, weather, compass, tire pressure (yes, it’s still a retail vehicle), and a clock. There has been scuttlebutt in the Lincoln forums about the screens being distracting, but honestly, none of us found it to be—in fact, we thought it was useful and even soothing. When the car is in park, the display can be used to stream movies and even play video games—just don’t tell your chauffeurs. You can also change the themes (our favorite was “constellation”), but overall, we found the new dash design to be a show-stopper. You’ll even be treated to a pleasant welcome and goodbye animation.

Lincoln didn’t skimp on technology either. In addition to all the safety features you would expect—lane and parking assist, blind spot alerts, BlueCruise, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alerts—the Navigator has a new Turn Signal View, which shows the ground where the vehicle is turning. This could be especially helpful if you have chauffeurs who are constantly smacking curbs or aren’t being as careful in those notoriously risky debris-collecting road gutters.

Beyond the piano key shifters and push start, knobs and buttons are at a minimum in the cockpit. Most of the work will be done via touchscreen, while the rest will be shouldered by two control pads on the steering wheel. That’s where you’ll be able to adjust the mirrors, telescope the steering wheel, manage the audio, and set up your cruise control. It may take a second to get used to, but it’s straightforward and simple once you know where to look.

Another major change for 2025 is the split rear gate, which was also recently added to the Ford Expedition. The lift gate is divided into two doors—roughly the top two-thirds and the bottom third—which can open together or be programmed to only open one. According to Lincoln, it was designed to keep cargo hidden or at bay, so it doesn’t spill out after transport. Honestly, we were a bit mixed on this. While it’s a cool and potentially useful feature, it also could make loading and removing cargo a little more difficult when the bottom is open. Speaking of cargo: You’ll get about 2 cubic feet more space in the 2025.

Lincoln continues to lean in heavily on its “sanctuary” mantra, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the massive SUV actually does stand up to exterior noise quite well. There are touches that you’ll likely never use—like the digital scent or the Lincoln Rejuvenate, which reclines the driver seat while in park, cools the cabin, and displays a serene video on the 48-inch display—but the attention to detail is impressive. The V6 is capable and snappy once it gets going, although one of our testers found it a bit hesitant from a dead stop. Then again, it is moving three tons of metal, so what the heck are we whining about? Shifting was as expected: smooth and effortless. If we have any complaints, it’s that we wish it came standard with rear window sunshades.

As of press time, MSRP on the Reserve L is starting at $105,000, although there are livery incentives available ($5,000 was available as of the end of August 2025). Livery warranty covers 4 years or 150,000 miles.

Bottom line: Make no mistake, this is a super luxury, full-size spa on wheels. If you’re a Lincoln lover, you already know that the Nav looks, feels, moves, and handles great—and your customers will likely love it too.   [CD0425]

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Additional photos provided by Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Sales and Sam Emam of Special1Media.com.