Lincoln’s Navigator is, along with rival Cadillac’s Escalade, still one of the most-popular extra-large SUVs when it comes to being used for transporting VIPs or regular schlubs who sprung for an Uber XL.
Spacious and comfortable, this Lincoln gets chosen for that duty for a reason. Now, the 2026 Lincoln Navigator continues that experience, but with modern touches such as a wrap-around screen.
How The 2026 Lincoln Navigator Was Equipped
My test unit was a mid-trim Reserve - of course, a mid-term luxo-barge is just a bit different than a mid-term family sedan.
I mean, the base price is already (barely) in the six figures.
Standard features included a satin-chrome grille mesh with satin-aluminum, adaptive headlamps, LED tailamps, a split tailgate, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, power running boards, 11.1-inch center screen, 48-inch display, ambient lighting, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats that fold flat with one touch, heated rear seats, tri-zone climate control, adaptive suspension, dynamic brake support, keyless entry and starting, co-pilot 360, rain-sensing wipers, Revel audio, and a wireless cell-phone charger.
Standard safety features and advanced driver-assist aids included front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, speed sign recognition, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking.
That added up to a base price, not including D and D fees, of $101,995.
Options included Starlight Gray paint, 24-inch (!) wheels, second-row power tailored seats, a heavy-duty towing package, BlueCruise hands-free driving, and satellite radio.
Total as-tested price? $122,480, including the delivery and destination fees.
On The Road With The 2026 Lincoln Navigator
Under the beast’s hood is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that matches up with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It motivates the Navi well enough, but something this heavy will never, ever be a pavement burner.
Nor will it handle particularly well, but few buyers care a whit about that. This one is all about smooth transport, and it mostly does that job well, some chassis flex aside.
Comfort isn’t a problem with the interior - there’s plenty of space, even in the third row, and headroom and legroom up front are more than generous.
The customizable wraparound screen looks good and is easy to read, with large, simple fonts. I do have concerns about what repairing something like that costs out of warranty, though. It gives the cabin a modern look and gives your passenger something to feast their eyes on, though it also doesn’t exactly rebut the common argument that today’s cars are becoming too much about screens while neglecting other aspects of the driver and passenger experience.
A lot of functions that should be accessed and controlled via buttons and knobs are outsourced to touchscreens - that can be annoying at times. At least the push-button shifter is easy to learn.
The directional pads on the steering wheel have a steeper learning curve, but once you figure them out, they’re easy enough to use. But some functions require you to spend too much time accessing them via the d-pads. Adjusting certain seating and climate functions involves a way-too-complicated process via the pads. Sometimes, simplicity beats tech.
Most of the cabin materials feel about right for the price, but occasionally you wander across a piece that feels too down market for a six-figure-plus vehicle.
Outside of some engine noise under load, the Navigator is nice and quiet inside.
The split tailgate probably makes loading some items easier, but it adds a bit of hassle for luggage or groceries, and the cargo room with the third row up feels skimpy - that’s the trade-off for having more passenger space.
BlueCruise continues to work scarily well, though one still needs to pay attention. One will also need to pay attention to their fuel budget - this Lincoln is thirsty, at 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway/17 mpg combined.
It’s too cliche to suggest the Navigator is only for car-service operators and Uber drivers - plenty of well-heeled families will park one in their driveway. Those that do will find the Navigator to work as advertised as a heavy, smooth-riding supersized SUV with generous passenger room and a large wraparound screen keeping everyone informed about what’s going on with the rig.
Large, smooth, quiet - yup, that’s exactly what the luxury set wants.
Images: Tim Healey
About The Author
Tim Healey is an experienced automotive writer and editor from Chicago. He has covered automotive news at Consumer Guide Automotive, Web2Carz, AutoGuide, and was the managing editor at The Truth About Cars. Tim is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. You can find him on Facebook, X/Twitter, and on LinkedIn.
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