The 2025 Lincoln Navigator offers a luxurious experience for many occupants at a time and all their luggage. However, its sheer size may be an issue for the daily drive, especially in extended-length configuration.
Looking to end or at least reduce GM’s dominance in the full-size luxury SUV segment, the Ford Motor Company has redesigned the 2025 Lincoln Navigator, which is once again available in regular- and extended-wheelbase variants, the latter providing almost as much cargo room as the belly of an Airbus A380.
In that segment, the Cadillac Escalade largely obliterates the competition, with 2,294 units sold in Canada over the first nine months of the 2025 calendar year, while second place belongs to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Mercedes-Benz GLS with combined sales of 1,688 units. Meanwhile, 701 consumers chose the Navigator. If we add sales of the fully Escalade IQ, that amounts to 2,945 units rolling off Cadillac dealer lots, and if we consider the GMC Yukon as a luxury full-size SUV—which starts at about $95,000—we’re looking at 5,794 units sold through the end of September. When we talk about GM dominating the charts, we aren’t exaggerating.
So what can the 2025 Lincoln Navigator do to gain some market share? Offer improved comfort, ride quality and on-board tech, while finding a way to attract a younger audience that might not think about the brand itself as an aspirational one. In those aspects, the Navi scores some important points, but there’s still work to be done.
Two trim levels are available in Canada for the 2025 model year, called Reserve and Black Label. Under the hood lies a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine that develops 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. A four-wheel drivetrain is standard in Canada, and maximum towing capacity is rated at 3,956 kilograms or 8,700 pounds for both the Navigator and the stretched Navigator L. City/highway/combined fuel economy ratings are set at 15.6 / 10.8 / 13.5 L/100 km, and the engine can run on regular fuel, which is rare in this vehicle segment, though the output ratings are measured using higher-octane juice. During our test of the extended-wheelbase Navigator L, we managed a decent average of 12.5 L/100 km.
Standard features include 22-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, a power-operating split liftgate/tailgate, power-deployable running boards, a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable pedals, three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery (leatherette in 3rd row), heated and ventilated front seats with massaging function, a 24-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 22-way power front passenger seat, heated and power-folding 2nd-row captain’s chairs, a power-folding 3rd-row bench seat, wood interior trim, ambient lighting, a digital key, a fragrance dispenser and remote engine start. It also offers a 48-inch coast-to-coast display panel integrating the driver instrument cluster and the 11.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D surround sound system.
Options include a two-speed transfer case, a trailer tow package, a blackout appearance package, 24-inch wheels, ventilated and massaging 2nd-row seats, a 2nd-row bench seat for eight-passenger capacity instead of the standard seven. The Black Label variant adds 30-way driver and 28-way front passenger seat adjustments, heated and leather-trimmed 3rd-row seats and richer interior furnishings, while a rear-seat entertainment package and an Atmospheric Special Edition package with a black-painted roof and copper-painted 24-inch wheels are also available.
In Canada, 2025 Lincoln Navigator pricing ranges from $128,695 to $172,695. That includes freight and delivery charges and the obligatory $100 federal A/C tax, but not dealer-installed accessories. It also excludes the Canadian Luxury Tax that tacks another 10% of the price exceeding $100k on the final tally. In the United States, the Navigator is priced from $103,415 to $136,760.
Competition includes the BMW X7, the Cadillac Escalade, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, the GMC Yukon Denali, the Infiniti QX80, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the Lexus LX, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Range Rover.
Why You Should Buy a 2025 Lincoln Navigator
- When we have a need for space, either for hauling the extended family or moving furniture around all the time, the Navigator has us covered. It’s just as big inside as the Yukon, the Escalade and the Grand Wagoneer, give or take a few millimetres here and there, so even though it doesn’t stand out among the American-brand SUVs, it remains one of the biggest passenger vehicles on the road. Unlike in the GM SUVs, third-row seating accommodations are the same in the regular-length Navigator and in the stretched Navigator L, the difference being cargo volume. Simply put, if we need more space than what’s available in the Lincoln, we should consider a cargo vessel instead.
- The Navigator’s twin-turbo V6 may not have guttural sound of a V8, but it provides plenty of power and smoothness, while delivering on fuel economy. Granted, the cost of fuel may not be a concern in vehicles of this price, but it’s still something buyers may look for. The fact that the Lincoln is one of only two models in the segment that can run on regular fuel (the other being the Yukon Denali with its base engine) is also a plus in our books.
- Instead of trying to be better at what its rivals are doing regarding the in-cabin user experience, Lincoln seems to be carving its own niche. Yes, we still find yards of stitched leather and chrome trim, but the Navigator’s interior is about relaxation, calmness, serenity. The Revel Ultima sound system is exquisite. The cockpit is tomb-quiet, the multi-adjustable front seats will fit pretty much anyone’s stature comfortable, and there’s also a feature in the infotainment system that provides a soothing atmosphere, such as Waterfall Meditation that uses the pillar-to-pillar screens and the surround sound system to make us stop thinking about our daily responsibilities and worries. A nice touch.
- Looking for a luxury rig to tow that camping trailer or boat? The Navigator can pull up to 8,700 pounds or 3,956 kilograms when properly equipped. That’s a few hundred pounds more than what its rivals can muster, save for the Grand Wagoneer that can tow up to 9,810 pounds or 4,450 kg.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Lincoln Navigator
- While a two-piece liftgate/tailgate may be convenient for pre-game tailgate parties, we’re just not sold on the idea that anything stored in the cargo area will be harder to reach. We’d prefer it as an option instead of a standard feature.
- The Navigator may offer a relaxing driving experience overall, we were expecting better ride quality. It’s equipped with an adaptive suspension, but not an air suspension, which isn’t a bad move for long-term durability and maintenance costs. However, the ride is harsh on city streets, and even on the highway, we can feel a lot of little road imperfections. It’s not a dealbreaker, but step out of the Navigator and into a BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS, we’ll immediately feel the difference their admittedly costlier suspension setups provide. Also of note, the power-retractable running boards send a jolt in the cabin every time they stow themselves as we climb in and drive away.
- There are a few things we must get used to when choosing the Lincoln. The oval-shaped steering wheel is one of those, especially when we need to quickly spin it back and forth as we’re trying to park this gargantuan SUV into a spot at the grocery store. The steering wheel buttons are unidentified until we set our finger on them, after which their function is displayed on the instrument panel which—though we can get used to this. The transmission selector buttons aren’t as intuitive as a traditional shift lever and require more attention, the direction of the dashboard air vents aren’t adjustable, and the on-screen climate controls are distracting to use while driving. We’ll point out here that some of these shortcomings aren’t limited to Lincoln products, such as the touchscreen climate control interface and the transmission selector buttons.
- As much as the brand needs to resonate with a younger audience, there’s still a lot of work to do. The biggest model in the lineup may not be the vehicle that will accomplish that by nature, but Lincoln still hasn’t succeeded in seriously lowering the average buyer age, unlike Cadillac that offers a range of performance-focused models, which Lincoln doesn’t. Younger professionals don’t need to explain tp us why they chose a Lincoln, because we get it, but quite a few of them might still not consider the brand at all.
Should You Buy a 2025 Lincoln Navigator?
If size matters in both needs and as a status symbol, the Navigator is definitely worth a look. It offers a very comfortable and serene cabin, an amazing dashboard layout for those who like looking at screens, and there’s room for everything but the kitchen sink for family road trips.
In the other hand, and despite the arrival of this new generation, the Navigator doesn’t shake up the segment, other than by focusing on a relaxing user experience. It has several minor shortcomings that we’ve pointed out earlier, but no major flaws, either. However, for now, GM need not be worried about losing its dominance in the full-size luxury SUV category, though it should be aware that the Ford Motor Company hasn’t yet thrown in the towel.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lincoln Navigator / L | 2025 Cadillac Escalade / ESV | 2025 Infiniti QX80 | 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer | 2025 Lexus LX | 2025 Range Rover RWB / LWB | |
| Price Range Before Luxury Tax ($CAD) | $128,695 to $172,695 | $121,698 to $225,518 | $108,511 to $128,511 | $111,795 to $139,880 | $124,995 to $174,775 | $135,350 to $324,350 |
| Engines | - Twin-Turbo 3.5L V6 | - 6.2L V8 - Supercharged 6.2L V8 | - Twin-Turbo 3.5L V6 | - Twin-Turbo 3.0L I6 | - Twin-Turbo 3.4L V6 - Twin-Turbo 3.4L V6 HEV | - Turbo 3.0L I6 MHEV - Turbo 3.0L I6 PHEV - Twin-Turbo 4.4L V8 |
| Output (hp) | 440 | 420 to 682 | 450 | 540 | 409 to 457 | 395 to 606 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 510 | 460 to 653 | 516 | 521 | 479 to 583 | 406 to 590 |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 13.5 | 15.0 to 17.7 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 11.7 to 12.7 | 11.0 to 13.2 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3,112 / 3,340 | 3,071 / 3,407 | 3,075 | 3,303 | 2,850 | 2,997 / 3,197 |
| Length (mm) | 5,334 / 5,636 | 5,383 / 5,765 | 5,365 | 5,759 | 5,095 | 5,052 / 5,252 |
| Width (mm) | 2,032 | 2,059 | 2,115 | 2,124 | 1,990 | 2,047 |
| Height (mm) | 1,981 | 1,948 / 1,941 | 1,945 | 1,963 | 1,895 | 1,867 |
| 1st-Row Headroom (mm) | 973 | 1,074 | 993 | 998 | 960 | 999 |
| 2nd-Row Headroom (mm) | 963 | 988 | 960 | 975 | 990 | 997 / 1,005 |
| 3rd-Row Headroom (mm) | 950 | 970 | 919 | 977 | 895 | N.A. |
| 1st-Row Legroom (mm) | 1,105 | 1,131 | 1,112 | 1,040 | 1,045 | 1,013 / 1,014 |
| 2nd-Row Legroom (mm) | 1,067 | 1,060 | 995 | 1,085 | 930 | 1,027 |
| 3rd-Row Legroom (mm) | 1,105 | 886 / 933 | 835 | 930 | 790 | 864 |
| Cargo Volume Behind 1st Row (L) | 3,030 / 3,443 | 3,412 / 4,027 | 2,860 | 3,197 | 1,772 to 2,010 | 1,841 / 2,050 |
| Cargo Volume Behind 2nd Row (L) | 1,979 / 2,393 | 2,065 / 2,665 | 1,670 | 2,515 | 877 to 1,303 | 818 / 857 |
| Cargo Volume Behind 3rd Row (L) | 648 / 1,059 | 722 / 1,175 | 623 | 1,252 | 205 to 311 | - / 212 |
| Towing Capacity (kg) | 3,946 | 3,674 | 3,856 | 4,450 | 3,629 | 3,500 |
