2022 Lincoln Navigator

Pros: Lavishly appointed cabin, cavernous space for people and cargo, crisp acceleration, confident-yet-understated styling

Cons: Poor fuel economy, steep pricing, limited close-quarters maneuverability; L version only offered on pricier trim levels

CG Says: Lincoln’s full-size SUV gets new infotainment and safety tech features for 2022, along with revised styling and extra interior features. The Navigator is Lincoln’s largest SUV, and it’s available in standard length and extended “L” size, which is one foot longer overall. Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels are offered, but the Standard model isn’t available in an L version. All share most of their mechanicals with the Ford Expedition.

The Navigator is powered by a 440-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available, and maximum towing capacity is 8,700 pounds. A Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package is available. It includes a Class IV trailer hitch, heavy duty radiator, and a camera-based assistance system designed to make it easier to attach and maneuver trailers.

Inside the Navigator’s cabin is three-row seating with a maximum capacity of seven passengers, or six with available second-row bucket seats. The primary difference between standard length and the longer L model is in the size of their respective cargo areas; the L has significant load space behind the third-row seats, while the standard-length version doesn’t.

For 2022, new “Central Park” and “Invitation” interior-decor themes join the previous Yacht Club and Chalet versions; the 2021 model’s Destination theme is discontinued. All have unique combinations of leather and real wood trim, with the new Central Park version further detailed with a decorative map of New York’s Central Park laser-etched in its wood trim. Also new inside the Navigator is a larger infotainment touchscreen — it’s upsized from 10.2 inches to 13.2 inches. Complementing this setup are USB ports in all seating rows, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and a 5G wireless internet hotspot. A pair of 10.1-inch rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon’s Fire TV are available too.

A solid core of safety tech features are offered on the 2022 Navigator, with Lincoln’s ActiveGlide system standard on Reserve and Black Label models. Although not a true autonomous driving system ActiveGlide uses GPS data to allow hands-free driving on select highways in the U.S. and Canada. This complements Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 driver assistance system, which includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection.

Rounding out the Navigator’s changes for 2022 are exterior styling revisions, featuring a full-width taillight setup, simpler lower front fascia, and a new grille design.

Although the Navigator feels every bit its size — especially on tight turns and twisty roads — it nonetheless offers a solid combination of virtues that should appeal to buyers looking for a luxurious plus-size rig. The updates for 2022 freshen this noteworthy machine appropriately and keep it on the list of SUVs worth considering.