2026 Lincoln Navigator Review

We’ve entered an era where premium brands previously known for their sensual sedans or racy roadsters are now selling oversized SUVs as their pinnacle offerings.

Companies like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Lamborghini are bolstering their bottom lines with SUV sales, and Mercedes-Benz has even given its GLS-Class the vaunted Maybach treatment.

While not priced in the same bracket as those big-budget models, Cadillac, Lexus, and Lincoln all have SUVs that easily break the $100,000 barrier. Better still, their truck-based models are built from body-on-frame platforms. Now topped up with the so-called Black Label kit, the 2026 Lincoln Navigator is reaching into costlier territory than ever before.

Design: 9/10

The Black Label nomenclature designates this Navigator as the top of the range. As such, it’s a blend of modern technology — like the full-width screen that dominates the dash — and classic materials like fine leather along with real wood trim and metal. There are three themes a buyer can choose for their Black Label, each with a different interior colour palette. This tester was finished in the “Invitation” look with black leather and contrast stitching that matched the expansive wood trim in a delicious shade of cognac.

Look closer and the perforations in the seats present subtle designs, while the wood trim has intricate metal inlays. The headliner is a faux-suede material, while a customizable LED light strip is nestled somewhere amidst the material layers to offer some after-dark ambiance.

The Navigator’s exterior is fittingly regal and imposing, too — like Henry VIII in full robes and crown. It’s obviously a portly and imposing figure (both that monarch and the Navigator), and commands respect. The most recent update brought a sleek light bar that spans the width of the front end, punctuated in the middle by the Lincoln badge that’s also illuminated. This tester was finished in Sunrise Copper Metallic paint ($2,500) that gleamed and made for an interesting contrast against the black wheels, mirrors, trim, and roof, and drew plenty of attention from fellow motorists and pedestrians alike.

Equipment: 10/10

Expectedly, the Black Label is equipped with a dizzying number of amenities, the highlights of which include 30-way adjustable front seats that are heated and cooled, and also include a half-dozen different massage functions. Second-row passengers don’t receive second-rate treatment, as their captain’s chairs are heated, cooled, and fitted with magic massaging fingers, too. They also get headsets for their individual entertainment screens, and there’s even a wireless phone charger, too. The massive panoramic sunroof means they can enjoy the view above, just like the folks in the front row.

Often, the third row of an SUV has worse finishes and features than the rest of the cabin, but in the Navigator there’s room for two or three passengers, plus outboard seat heating and USB-C charging ports. There’s a dedicated climate zone back there, too.

The 28-speaker stereo can shake your fillings loose, but if the music choice or traffic stresses the driver, there’s a series of Rejuvenate themes that can be accessed when the vehicle is parked. When selected, the driver’s seat reclines and begins massaging while the 48-inch-wide screen displays a relaxing scene (like a waterfall, a forest, or the northern lights). Meanwhile, a calming voice offers suggestions on how to meditate while the oscillating vents present a gentle breeze. The only features that seemed conspicuous by their absence were a lack of soft-close doors and the heated arm rests found in some other high-dollar machines.

User Friendliness: 6/10

The Navigator’s style is impressive, but it’s certainly a matter of form over function when it comes to the controls. Lincoln has gone all-in on the use of screens here. There’s the 48-inch-wide display right below the windshield that’s bisected into two panels; the one on the driver’s side shows the typical speed and navigation information, but can be largely void of content, while the passenger-side hemisphere is customizable to showcase items like trip computer information, weather, music choices, or other widgets.

Lower on the central dash there’s an 11.1-inch touchscreen that handles typical infotainment duties — various vehicle settings and setups, menus, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — or redundancies that can also be presented on the panoramic screen above. The second row gets its own small screen for various climate functions, and in the Black Label, a pair of entertainment screens. There’s more glass here than a greenhouse.

The problem lies in the absence of traditional switches and buttons, and it’s a complaint we (and consumers) continue to level against vehicles that put too much emphasis on screen controls. Here, the streamlining is taken to the extreme where tasks like adjusting the airflow direction through the vents requires at least two or three screen taps to adjust. Want to set the steering wheel position? That’s done through the right-side multi-function touch pad that also does duty for mirror controls, audio controls, and various other functions.

In fairness, many of those settings can be a set-and-forget scenario tied in to the driver’s programmed settings, and at least the volume knob is a big crystal affair that’s easy to find to crank up (or down) the tunes in a hurry. But that still doesn’t excuse the fiddly piano key-like gear selector buttons that require a little pause to find the right one. It may seem like no big deal until you’ve just backed out of a driveway onto a busy street and you want to get out of the way of approaching traffic as quickly as possible.

Lastly, the driver’s position is commanding, and outward views are decent to the front, but it’s surprising there’s no camera-based rearview mirror, because it can be hard to see out the back when loaded with people and stuff (or both). Blind-spot checks can also be tricky with the Navigator’s B-pillars that seem as wide as bridge abutments.

Comfort: 8/10

The Black Label’s seats provide sublime comfort, and the multi-zone climate system (plus the onboard perfumes that can make the air inside a little more pleasant) are all properly decadent. Road- and wind noise are both wonderfully hushed, and while the overall engine note is reasonably subdued, too, there’s a gruffness from the V6 that’s absent in competitors equipped with V8s or straight-sixes.

The other area the Navigator loses comfort points is in its ride. By truck standards, it’s quite plush, but it’s unmistakably still a truck, which means there are shimmies and vibrations that transmit through the heavy frame and into the cabin. This tester was fitted with heavy 22-inch wheels, but the Black Label rides on standard 24-inch alloys, which would surely make this Lincoln crash over our nasty pavement even more.

Everyday Usability: 9/10

Of course, that body-on-frame format means the Navigator is ideally suited for hauling a boat to the cottage or an enclosed trailer with a track car inside. There’s a standard trailer brake controller, and this Navigator is rated to tow 3,946 kg (8,700 lb). Buyers who opt for 24-inch wheels will be limited to 3,855 kg (8,500 lb), and for those keeping score, the Cadillac Escalade tops out at 3,674 kg (8,100 lb).

The Navigator is a big vehicle, which means there’s lots of space inside. First- and second-row occupants end up with more room than a downtown condo, while even the third row provides enough head- and legroom for adult passengers — something few of this truck’s competitors can truly claim. Behind the third row, there’s a decent 649 L of cargo space, but fold the seats down and the cargo hold expands to 1,722 L — and 3,029 L with both sets of back seats stowed. Both figures are bettered by the Escalade; however, those needing more real estate inside their Navigator can opt for the longer Navigator L.

Powertrain: 9/10

While not the smoothest operator, the twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 offers up 440 hp and a plentiful 510 ft-lb of torque. Though not quite as robust as the Infiniti QX80 and its engine of the same size, it’s nevertheless ample for towing duty and helping this big luxury bus accelerate away from a stop, or when passing with eyebrow-raising gusto. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth yet swift shifts and has been programmed to be an excellent match for the engine, always seeming to be in the right gear.

Efficiency: 6/10

With a city average of 15.7 L/100 km, the Navigator isn’t exactly miserly when it comes to fuel consumption, but improves to a reasonable 10.9 on the highway and a 13.6 combined rate. These figures are very close to both the QX80 and Lexus LX 600 (though the hybrid LX 700h is notably better), and the V8-powered Escalade is worse.

Driving Dynamics: 7/10

At nearly 5.5 metres long and more than two metres wide, and weighing nearly 2,700 kg (5,952 lb), nobody should expect the Navigator to handle like anything other than the large, tall, boxy SUV that it is. Still, while the steering is light and aloof, it handles as well as any large truck should do without feeling nautical in its body lean in the corners, nor excessive nose dive under braking thanks to its adaptive suspension.

Braking is strong and suitable, too. Still, those looking for a more engaging three-row luxury barge may want to consider a BMW X7, although they will give up interior space and towing capacity to do so.

Safety: 7/10

Lincoln fits the Navigator with a comprehensive safety suite that includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking. It also comes standard with the company’s latest BlueCruise semi-automated driving system that manages speed and lane positioning on its own, and is capable of self-managed lane changes once the driver indicates a desire for one by tapping the turn signal.

Value: 7/10

At first glance, it’s difficult to consider a truck-based SUV as a good value — especially one with a base starting price just shy of $120,000 before taxes. It becomes even tougher when the Ford Expedition shares the same drivetrain and platform yet commands considerably less. But the range-topping Black Label here also includes maintenance, annual detailing and a car wash any time at the special dealerships authorized to deal Black Label models, and starts at $150,000 before options. This tester’s spec sheet added the copper paint, plus a $12,000 Special Edition package that included little more than blacked-out roof and trim panels.

Competitive models from Cadillac, Lexus, and Infiniti are all priced similarly depending on their respective equipment and trim levels. Low-spec Range Rovers are not much more money, but when optioned up, can quickly become dramatically more expensive than the Navigator, yet provide less interior space and trailer-hauling capability.

The Verdict

For decades, Lincoln’s Navigator has been a staple in the brand’s lineup, serving in recent years as the ultimate flagship for the luxury brand, as well as a genuine foil to Cadillac’s Escalade. Lincoln has done a good job of continuously evolving and improving the Navigator, making it into the thoroughly contemporary and properly decadent machine it is today with the Black Label trim representing the pinnacle of the company’s capabilities.

For buyers wanting the sheer size of a true full-size three-row luxury SUV capable of not only hauling a big family and a sizable trailer, the 2026 Lincolcn Navigator remains among the best bets, while those looking for a more manageable size and better driving dynamics may wish to look at competitors from Germany and Japan.