With a little bit of patience and good timing, the used market can turn yesterday’s flagship into today’s smartest buy. If you are shopping for a full-size luxury SUV and don’t want to pay current-model-year premiums, few vehicles may fit the bill better than the 2025 Lincoln Navigator. This American SUV was completely redesigned for the 2025 model year and is larger, more powerful, and better-equipped than its predecessor. Let’s break down why the 2025 Lincoln Navigator could be one of the best value deals in the full-size luxury SUV segment right now.
The 2025 Redesign Presents An Entirely New Experience
The fifth-generation Lincoln Navigator is not just a mild refresh—it’s an entirely new vehicle. Lincoln used this new model to meaningfully expand on what this full-size SUV offers, and the 2025 model won’t feel dated for many years to come.
The 2025 Navigator Is Bigger And Better
Aretrucks and SUVs getting biggerwith every passing year? Yes, and the 2025 Navigator is no exception. Lincoln added more mass in every direction and dimension, resulting in about 20% more cargo space. Considering the Navigator was already recognized for its cavernous interior, that increase is massive.
The short-wheelbase version now offers 22 cubic feet behind the third row, 61 cubic feet behind the second, and 107 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded. If that still isn’t enough, the long-wheelbase Navigator L provides almost 12 additional inches of length for even more spaciousness. One of the Navigator’s coolest new features is the “Split Gate” tailgate that opens in two directions, providing an additional level of versatility.
Under the hood, a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 produces 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque while paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 Navigator can reach 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, which is impressively quick for an SUV of this size. The 2025 Navigator also comes with standard AWD and a maximum tow rating of 8,700 pounds when equipped with the heavy-duty trailer tow package.
A Whole New Approach To Tech
Stepping into the cabin, the difference between the inside of a fourth-gen and fifth-gen Navigator is night and day. There is essentially no carryover from the previous generation, and the first thing you will notice is the new, massive panoramic screen that engulfs your field of view. This 48-inch screen is integrated directly into the dash as one continuous panel that controls everything from the instrument cluster to the dedicated passenger display.
The resolution of the screen is top-notch and can be utilized for watching videos in “Pano mode” while the vehicle is parked. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot that can also handle over-the-air software updates. We don’t like to visit the dealer unless necessary, and the OTA system is a big upgrade in this sense. Most importantly, the Revel Ultima 3D audio system with 28—yes, 28 speakers—is included. Rounding out the tech suite is Lincoln’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system, and 14 USB-C ports spread out across the three rows.
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A Worthwhile Luxury Experience
Is Lincoln, Ford’s luxury brand, at the level of competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW? While it’s easy to dismiss the American luxury brand, the 2025 Navigator forces an honest conversation by providing a true luxury experience, top to bottom.
The Quality Of The Front And Second Row
The Navigator Reserve, considered the base model, comes with 24-way power-adjustable front seats. Both seats are heated, ventilated, and have a massage function. Yes, that’s right—massage seats are standard equipment. The second row is entirely configurable with bench seating or standard captain’s chairs. There are also the “PowerPitch and Slide” captain’s chairs that add heating, ventilation, and massage on the higher trims.
The top-level Black Label trim adds 30-way adjustable front seats with individual left and right thigh support adjustability, a feature worthy of a Mercedes-Maybach sedan. When the vehicle is parked, the Navigator can be put into “Rejuvenate” mode, which combines the panoramic display with the audio system and ambient lighting to create a peaceful environment. That might sound silly on paper, but in practice, this feature is genuinely enjoyable to use.
The Magic Of The Third-Row
Most automakers boast about the spaciousness of the third row in their full-size SUVs when, in reality, it is often only comfortable for children or short trips. The 2025 Navigator’s third row isn’t a compromise; it’s one of its greatest strengths. Third-row passengers get 57 cubic feet of passenger volume and a 40/20/40 split-folding bench seat.
Did we mention there are also new heated third-row cushions available for 2025? Third-row heated seating is rare, even at exotic luxury price points, and the Navigator offers it. You get four USB-C ports in the third row as well, making every passenger feel included in the cabin. Most third rows get folded flat for additional space, but the 2025 Navigator is one of the few exceptions where the final row of seating feels genuinely usable and not an afterthought.
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Comparing The 2025 Navigator To Its Rivals
If you have over $100,000 to spend on a luxury SUV, the world is truly your oyster. There is no shortage of viable options in this segment, but the Navigator’s natural rivals are the Cadillac Escalade and Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Let’s discuss what each of these options offers and where Lincoln both wins and loses in comparison.
The Lincoln Navigator Vs. The Cadillac Escalade
The 2026 Cadillac Escalade is known as the benchmark American full-size luxury SUV. The V-Series variant offers up to 682 hp, but costs a lofty $170,895 for the experience. Standard Escalade models come equipped with a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and the Navigator beats the Escalade in both metrics. Cadillac’s Super Cruise hands-free system has more support and range than Lincoln’s BlueCruise.
Both of these American SUVs sport massive panoramic screens, so in that sense, it mostly comes down to personal preference. The Navigator offers a more complete standard feature list and the added benefit of the Split Gate tailgate design. When considering a 2025 model, the Navigator also offers a stronger depreciation-adjusted value. The Escalade still has the larger reputation in this segment, which means the Navigator historically depreciates faster. This fact is a liability when buying new, but an advantage when buying even a one-year-old used model.
The Lincoln Navigator Vs. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer
The 2026 Grand Wagoneer comes with 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque standard across all trim levels. The Grand Wagoneer also offers a significantly wider pricing range, with the base model starting at $63,995 and the top-trim Summit Reserve maxing out at $100,310 base price.
If you want a bit more of a rugged aesthetic and off-road functionality, a well-optioned Grand Wagoneer could be a solid choice. The Navigator is more urban-focused with a quieter interior and a standard feature suite that feels complete in its most modest configuration. How often do full-size luxury SUV buyers even venture off the beaten path anyway? Rarely, if ever. The Navigator feels like a proper flagship luxury experience that targets its demographic more precisely than the Jeep equivalent.
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The Used Market Value Equation
The base price of a 2025 Lincoln Navigator is $102,950, a true reflection of its premium positioning. It is effectively the same price as the Escalade or well-equipped Grand Wagoneer. However, if we look at 2025 models on the used market, you’ll notice that the math is different from what you might expect.
Depreciation Works In Your Favor
Full-size luxury SUVs are no strangers to depreciation, and even a one-year difference can be meaningful in terms of overall price. The Navigator doesn’t command the same reputation as the Escalade in this segment, so it has historically depreciated faster. A 2025 Navigator is likely to carry a decent discount on the used market and is effectively the same vehicle as the 2026 model year. The 2026 model year reintroduced the lower-entry Premiere trim and includes updates to the BlueCruise suite.
Yet, other than that, the two are effectively the same in key areas such as powertrain, tailgate, and interior technology. A diligent shopper can capture that discount without sacrificing the experience. Through independent research, the most affordable 2025 Navigator we were able to find was a 2025 Reserve 4WD with 24,320 miles for $81,762. Several examples exist in the $80,000 to $90,000 range, even for models with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer.
If you can find a 2025 Navigator certified pre-owned at a dealer, it may cost more, but it can still include Lincoln’s four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you opt for the top-level Black Label trim, that includes four years, 50,000 miles, or four service visits (whichever comes first) of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Those coverage terms still provide meaningful protection for a buyer entering the ownership cycle outside the original purchase date. There are still many 2025 Navigators as part of the new inventory, and the lower acquisition price improves the cost-of-ownership picture when compared to a 2026 model.
Sources: Lincoln, Jeep, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, NHTSA, Car and Driver, fueleconomy.gov