Forget Subtlety, 2025 Lincoln Navigator Goes Full-Bling

The Lincoln Navigator burst onto the scene nearly three decades ago, but the model has lost a lot of its luster. That’s reflected in sales as the Cadillac Escalade outsells it by nearly 3 to 1.However, Lincoln is fighting back with a new Navigator that borrows heavily from the Nautilus playbook. As a result, it adopts a far more modern and streamlined design.

More: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Combines 48-Inch Display With Available Hybrid Power

The changes are immediately apparent as the SUV wears a modern grille with an illuminated light bar. They’re joined by slender headlights and a rounded bumper with an expansive intake.

Continuing further back, we can see evolutionary bodywork and a lightly revised greenhouse. Buyers will also find integrated roof rails and 22- or 24-inch wheels. More interestingly, the bling machine has been de-chromed as satin aluminum accents rule the day.

The biggest changes occur out back, where there’s an all-new Split Gate. Lincoln said the top three-quarters rise like a traditional liftgate, while the bottom lowers like a conventional tailgate. This promises to make loading and unloading items easier, while also providing a convenient seating area for outdoor activities.

Besides mixing things up with the Split Gate, the Navigator adopts more expressive taillights. They’re joined by illuminated 3D badging and horizontal elements.

An Upscale Interior With A 48-Inch Display

The Nautilus-inspired styling continues inside with an expansive 48-inch panoramic display, which spans nearly the entire width of the dashboard. It’s joined by a lower 11.1-inch screen as well as Google integration. The latter provides access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.

Sticking with screens, Lincoln puts them to good use with a new Pano Mode. It sends “video and gaming apps to either side of the panoramic display when the vehicle is in park,” such as when you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school.

Besides going all-in on screens, the 2025 Navigator has a new two-spoke steering wheel and a revised center console with wood trim as well as a crystal-inspired volume knob. The latter comes in handy for taming the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system.

All models have heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, while there’s an assortment of options for the second-row. Besides the optional semi-powered bench, there are power adjustable captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. They’re joined by a power folding third-row as well as an available Cargo Tailgate Manager. The latter allows for multi-level storage as well as an “elegant table during tailgate gatherings.”

BlueCruise And Gimmicks Galore

While most of the changes are welcome, the luxury brand has decided to embrace gimmicky features. Key among them is Lincoln Rejuvenate, which promises a “spa on wheels” experience.

When activated, the “driver’s seat slides rearward, reclines, warms slightly and begins massaging. The steering wheel moves up and away. And calming visuals fill the center stack and panoramic display, complemented by ambient lighting and soothing sounds as a subtle fragrance fills the cabin.”

A Waterfall Meditation theme comes standard and will show video of water cascading across the panoramic screen. Customers can also purchase Aurora Borealis and Element themes, which honor the Northern Lights as well as the “classic elements of water, earth, air and fire.”

While Lincoln Rejuvenate feels like an exercise in excess, everyone can appreciate the standard BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system. It allows for hands-free operation on highways and makes long trips far less stressful.

Lincoln says the 2025 Navigator has the latest version of BlueCruise, which has Lane Change Assist as well as In-Lane Repositioning. The former allows lane changes with a tap of the turn signal, while the latter “helps provide more space by subtly shifting away from vehicles in adjacent lanes.”

Sticking with the tech theme, the model has a new Turn Signal View. It “projects a camera view of the adjacent lane on the 48-inch panoramic display when the turn signal is engaged.”

Two New Black Label Themes

If the standard model isn’t luxurious enough, customers can opt for one of the Black Label variants. The Enlighten version draws inspiration from sunrise and features Warm Horizon leather seats as well as laser-etched birch wood trim. They’re contrasted by Espresso carpeting and an Ebony headliner.

Customers can also opt for an Atmospheric theme, which is inspired by a cloudy day. Given this, the model sports Salt Crystal Gray leather, a matching headliner, and black carpeting. They’re joined by Ash wood trim and Radiant Copper accents.

The Atmospheric version sees Black Label design touches extend to the exterior for the first time. Here, the model is distinguished by Radiant Copper accents as well as 24-inch Radiant Copper wheels.

Black Label buyers with less imagination can opt for the Invitation theme, which combines Black Onyx leather with an Ebony headliner and Khaya wood trim. It’s formal, but a little boring.

Regardless of which theme is selected, all Black Label variants come nicely equipped. Besides 30-way Perfect Position front seats, customers will find heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, a leather-wrapped rear console with a wireless smartphone charger, and a heated third-row.

Arrives Next Spring With A Twin-Turbo V6

While Ford’s agreement with the UAW called for hybrid versions of the Navigator and Expedition, there’s no sign of them yet. Instead, the model is powered by a familiar twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 developing 440 hp (328 kW / 446 PS) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) of torque.

It’s connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel drive system. Lincoln also confirmed the luxury SUV has an adaptive suspension with continuously controlled damping.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator and Navigator L will be launched next spring, which means they’ll arrive months after the facelifted Escalade as well as the redesigned Infiniti QX80. We’ll learn pricing closer to launch, but the current model starts at $83,265 and we wouldn’t be surprised if the MSRP climbed a bit.