2027 Lincoln Navigator Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
In Lincoln’s all-SUV lineup, the Navigator is the flagship. Now in its fifth generation, the Navigator is a well-known option among high-end American SUVs.
Although mechanically similar to the Ford Expedition, the Navigator stands apart with distinctive design details, tech features, and premium finishing. Rivals in the luxury full-size three-row SUV segment include the Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Lexus LX.
RWD can now be optioned on all trim levels
Bronze Fire, Nocturnal Blue, and Frosted Fig paint color choices added
New 24-inch wheel design becomes available
Afterglow light tan upholstery introduced
Second row can be equipped without center console
As Lincoln’s flagship, the Navigator delivers the brand’s most upscale design and technology features. The fifth-generation SUV has a bold exterior and three-row cabin centered around a huge 48-inch panoramic display. To enhance relaxation, Lincoln includes a Rejuvinate feature, which provides massaging and audio-visual functions while the vehicle is parked.
More practical tech additions should see regular use. Google Maps, the Google Play Store, and Google Assistant voice commands are now included, and the Navigator’s stationary-only Pano Mode can show gaming and streaming content on either side of the huge display.
Despite the Navigator’s design and digital overhaul, Lincoln left the mechanical package untouched. The previous generation’s strong but aging twin-turbo V-6 carries over with the same output. We’ve credited the Navigator for its easy passing power and surprisingly composed handling for its size, but its ride quality still trails class expectations.
The latest Navigator has enough new design and technology to justify the update, but it still falls short of surpassing its key rivals. The solid fundamentals it shares with the Ford Expedition make that mainstream SUV seem like the better buy.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
All Navigator models use a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic routes that output to 4WD or, new for 2027, RWD. In MotorTrend testing, a standard-wheelbase Navigator accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while a long-wheelbase L model took 5.7 seconds.
MPGs and Range
With 4WD, the Navigator is rated at 15/22 mpg city/highway and can go about 400 miles on a full tank of gas. The RWD version should be slightly more fuel efficient and have a bit more driving range.
Safety and Driver Assist Features
Every Navigator comes equipped with plenty of driver assists and active safety features. Front and rear automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are all standard.
Lincoln also includes a four-year subscription to BlueCruise, which can provide hands-free driving on pre-mapped roadways. Automatic lane changes are part of BlueCruise, and there are also blind-spot monitoring cameras that activate with the turn signals.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
There’s a huge amount of space inside the Navigator, though not necessarily much more than its full-size competitors. The long-wheelbase L model provides the same passenger space as the standard version, just more cargo capacity.
Legroom (first/second/third row)
Cargo Space (behind third/second/first row)
2027 Lincoln Navigator
43.5/42.0/36.5 inches
21.6/60.8/107.0 cubic feet
2027 Lincoln Navigator L
43.5/42.0/36.5 inches
36.1/75.4/121.6 cubic feet
2027 Cadillac Escalade
44.5/41.7/34.9 inches
25.5/72.9/121.0 cubic feet
2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
40.9/42.7/36.6 inches
28.4/72.9/96.9 cubic feet
Towing and Payload
The Navigator can tow a maximum of 8,700 pounds when properly equipped.
The Navigator boasts a 48-inch panoramic display that stretches across the dashboard. It’s not a touchscreen, being controlled instead by a knob on the center console and a separate 11.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with familiar apps by Google.
Second-row passengers get a 5.8-inch touchscreen for climate control and other functions. There’s a wireless charging pad in the front row and USB-C ports in all three rows. A 360-degree camera and phone-as-key functionality aid ease of use.
Above the base 14-speaker audio system, a 28-speaker Revel premium setup is available.
High-end Navigator trims gain a second-row wireless charging pad, a cabin fragrance system, and enhanced interior ambient lighting.
Pricing for the 2027 Navigator starts at approximately $96,000 in Premiere trim; the L model is $3,000 more. Standard exterior features include 22-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, and a power-operated tailgate.
A capless fuel filler and remote engine start add convenience. Inside, the Navigator Premiere has leatherette upholstery, heated and ventilated 24-way adjustable front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, three-zone automatic climate control, and the huge 48-inch digital display.
What's Your Car Worth?
MotorTrend calculates your car's value in three free and easy steps - using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.
Get My Trade-In Value
The Premiere trim is our choice in the Navigator range. It comes with enough standard features that upgrading to the higher-end Reserve or Black Label trims seems a bit superfluous.
What Is the Navigator Black Label?
Lincoln’s highest-end SUVs get Black Label designation. On the Navigator, this trim level brings niceties such as an illuminated Lincoln grille badge, power running boards, full leather seat upholstery, 30-way adjustable front seats, ventilated second-row seats, heated third-row seats, premium carpet floormats, cabin scent diffusion, and a panoramic moonroof.
Exclusive paints and interior upholstery colors are also part of the Black Label treatment. The Navigator Black Label starts at approximately $123,000.