Recently I had the opportunity to test-drive the 2022 Lincoln Navigator for nearly a month with my family. That meant daily drop-offs and pick-ups for school and soccer practice and frequent one- to two-hour rides to visit family and friends as well as commuting between New York City to my suburban town on Long Island. This allowed me to put the vehicle through varied road conditions and experiences.
Overall Review
The 2022 Lincoln Navigator builds on an iconic nameplate, yet it somehow manages to deliver even more prestige with next-level serenity and luxury thanks to refreshed exterior styling and an updated, larger infotainment system. While it shares the same platform as the Ford Expedition, the luxury upgrades are noticeable. and the Navigator delivers a smoother ride and an overall more refined experience. While the large-SUV market has lots of great options, the new Navigator is more spacious than the BMW x7 and is more affordable than a comparable Range Rover. Bottom line: The Navigator is a great option if you're looking for a family-friendly, three-row luxe SUV.
Quick specs
- Estimated fuel economy: 17/23 MPG (EPA Estimated City/Highway)
- Seating: 7 or 8 seats
- Length: 210 inches
- Starting at: $77,635
What we love
- Spacious and comfy interior
- Ample cargo space
- Lavish styling and interior details
- Well-appointed with features that make it great for families
- Easy-to-use infotainment system
Take note
- Lackluster steering feel
- Subpar fuel economy
- Not as nimble as smaller crossovers
Performance and Engine
The new 2022 Lincoln Navigator provides a pleasant and safe driving experience, especially considering its size, thanks to a 440-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine featuring 10-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 8,700 pounds! It's available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive; the test unit I drove was four-wheel drive. While a vehicle of this size can’t provide the nimbleness of a smaller crossover, you can definitely feel its power, heft and sturdiness.
To switch between gears, you need to use Lincoln's Piano Key Shifter feature, which took some getting used to. But once I got accustomed to the simple press-button system, I found that it helpfully created more space in the center console.
Exterior
The 2022 Navigator looks largely similar to previous models — elegant and sleek with an immaculate finish — but it features a refreshed grille and exterior lighting details. I definitely turned eyes with the exclusive Black Label Central Park design I tested out, one of two custom themes available.
The Black Label experience is a brand differentiator, taking an already upscale experience and layering on more interior details and a bold earthy green exterior color. My model also featured the available 22" black aluminum wheels. The car recognizes when the handy key fob is in proximity to it, with the side mirrors automatically opening and a timed lighting sequence initiating.
Interior and Cargo Space
The Lincoln Navigator is a large, practical SUV that feels spacious and comfortable for both the passengers and the driver. As opposed to the fierce, turbine-like aesthetic of the exterior, the interior is quiet and comfy. It's available as a 7- or 8-seater, and you can opt to have a pass-through, a bench or a center console in the second row. The version I had featured captain’s chairs and a center console (offering easily accessible three-zone climate controls) between them.
The second row delighted both kids and adults. When the kids were buckled up in their car seats and boosters in the second row (we tried out six different car seat/booster seat configurations overall), they found serenity (or was that me?!) with the built-in infotainment systems. The available panoramic roof provided another delightfully distracting, immersive experience for the kids. When the second row was occupied with adult passengers, they were just as happy thanks to the massage seats, a new feature for this year’s model (the driver’s seat and the front-row passenger seat also feature massagers).
The Central Park theme meant even greater attention placed on even the tiniest details, like unique stitching and laser-etched wood designs on the interior paneling. Having recently moved out of the city, I loved having a Central Park–and-city-skyline design etched onto the instrument panel. (The other Black Label theme, Invitation, features a more calming vibe and darker, richer colors juxtaposed with modern lighting elements.)
Thanks to the vehicle’s sheer size, interior cargo space was ample. If you're looking for more room, certain models (like the one I tested) offer power-fold second and third row seats. Simply press a button, and voilà — instant storage.
Infotainment and Technology
The Lincoln Navigator features Ford's Sync4, a well-designed proprietary system that is readily viewable on the large 13.2" LCD center touchscreen. The vehicle is also Apple CarPlay– and Android Auto–compatible. The car even layers in new advanced technology, such as a built-in hands-free Amazon Alexa — a system with which my kids were already familiar, making it super simple for them to control the music. Plus, each row features USB ports (yay!), and wireless charging is built into the front center console.
Also notable: the optional dual 10.1" second row TVs, referred to as Lincoln Play, featuring Amazon Fire TV with Bluetooth headphones and dual remotes. This helped turn what should have been chaotic rides with three kids under 6 into serene, blissful experiences. I didn’t have to hear Daniel Tiger or Pinkalicious or deal with the kids' competing with one another over what to watch. And thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, we never had to worry about connectivity (the Wi-Fi was helpful when I had to turn the vehicle into a mobile office between pick-ups too!).
I was also a big fan of the available heads-up display, a visual system that showcases relevant information in your field of view above the steering wheel as you drive. This feature is becoming more commonplace on new vehicles, especially high-end ones, and it allows you to keep your eyes on the road while simultaneously seeing important info like directions or speed limit changes. Regardless of the driving conditions, I could always readily see the display thanks to the car's intelligent lighting.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2022 Lincoln Navigator includes loads of safety and driver-assistance features at no extra charge as part of its driver-assistance package, bundled in Lincoln Co-pilot 360 2.0 and 2.0 Vision. Notable highlights include lane-keeping, pre-collision assist and pedestrian detection. Intelligent adaptive cruise control uses radar and front cameras to help you recognize what’s ahead and adapt your speed by braking or accelerating. Also new is the debut of Active Glide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous mode for select models.
Editor's Note: Some models, trims, and features may not be available. Please contact your local Lincoln retailer for updates and assistance.
Key Specs
✔️ Engine: Twin-Turbocharged 3.5L V6 with Auto Start-Stop Technology
✔️ Transmission: 10-speed automatic transmission with available four-wheel drive
✔️ Horsepower: 440 hp
✔️ Dimensions: 210" L x 80" W x 76" H (94" width with side mirrors extended). * The Navigator L is 222" long.
✔️ Towing Capacity: 6,200 to 8,300 pounds
✔️ Infotainment: 12" LCD Digital Instrument Cluster with Ford Sync
✔️ Cargo Volume: 103 cubic feet behind first row, 58 cubic feet behind second row, 19 cubic feet behind third row (120/73/34 for the Navigator L)
For more great info on the Lincoln Navigator, check out our sister publication Car and Driver's in-depth review.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
