• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, April 28, 2025

The battles among three-row luxury SUVs are fierce, and the new Lincoln Navigator comes out swinging. 

It was already a bar-setting vehicle, but with new technology and an increased emphasis on luxury interiors, it's now truly at the top of its game. 

So the recently released “Mic Drop” commercial from Hudson Rouge featuring tennis legend and longtime Lincoln ambassador Serena Williams.is completely appropriate. 

The vehicle is as well-equipped as it has ever been to take on the Cadillac Escalade and Infiniti QX80, its biggest competitors. Its starting price of $101,990 for the Reserve trim is comparable with the competitive set. 

For starters, the latest version of hands-free BlueCruise — version 1.4 if you're wondering — is the best I’ve experienced. You can drive for miles without it cutting out. And best yet, when it does, the vehicle explains why. 

A new offering is instructional videos about features like BlueCruise that drivers can watch while in park on the vehicle's massive 48-inch curved display. Where better to learn about vehicle technology than sitting in the vehicle?

One ding, BlueCruise, while much improved, still doesn’t automatically change lanes — the driver has to tap the turn signal indicating the desire to do so — and then the vehicle begins looking for a lane opening, moving over only when it’s safe to do so. I still prefer General Motors Super Cruise, which automatically changes lanes. I’m told BlueCruise will eventually get to that point — like all technology, it’s a work in progress. 

The completely updated interior feels like a stylish, elegant, yet comfortable living room that you don’t want to leave. Calm is the feeling, no matter which design theme you choose. Real wood inlays and leather appliqués add to the luxury, as does a crystal-inspired volume knob — yes, an actual knob! Not all controls are buried in the screens.

Both the first and second rows feature heated/cooled and massaging seats. And even the third row gets heated/cooled seats — a new offering.  Also new is a split liftgate, which makes it easier to load and unload the cargo area.

The video screen is just below the driver’s view of the road, and contents can be adjusted via widgets in a smaller touchscreen below. That sort of acknowledgment of individual driver preference is truly what sets the new Lincoln Navigator apart.