The 2025 Lincoln Navigator Reserve is the largest vehicle in Lincoln’s portfolio. Walking up to it as a 5’3’’ female, I felt small. It looked and drove like a boat, prone to oversteering with plenty of tail swinging, and the need for me to hold on tight. Thankfully there was an extending step that automatically moved out to greet and aid me. Plus a door that was sturdy enough, where I could hold on to and use to climbing up on to the step and into the driver side seat.
The first and second rows had individual seats capable of greater customization for each passenger. With electronic dials and buttons you can increase your lumbar support, fold in the sides for a more bucketed back to hug you, and with a push of a button you get a massaging chair with options like recovery and rolling. The massaging function definitely had me enjoying my commute, and the times where I had to stay waiting in my car.
This makes the Navigator a great SUV for being chauffeured in. Especially as the second row has the same access and conveniences as the first, with its own centre arm rest and touch screen controls. From here you can control your own climate, change the channel, or access any of the car’s media features.
I enjoyed how roomy the larger armrest was, with enough space for passengers on both sides to rest their forearms and themselves comfortably. The 2025 Navigator Reserve was definitely designed with luxury in mind.
As for the driver, there was definitely a large learning curve with this one. For the first two days it felt like I was quick to lose control. I got startled each time the step extended and retracted. I was able to feel it rumbling and verberating below my feet. I lost my grip and control having the car jerk forward and rolling back because I did not put my foot down on the pedal firmly enough.
Given the size of the vehicle, I am grateful to have the driver assist guiding me to stay within the lanes. And appreciated how the wheel was more oblong than round for a tighter grip and more comfortable feel.
I enjoyed the high tech look of the dash with the largest of its three screens wrapping around, before the windshield. This was not quite edge to edge like it was with the 2024 model. Instead, this one was flanked by speakers to add to the surround of sound. This was essentially five screens in one including the dash, a map, date and scrolling time, media, and weather.
The compartments were kept discrete with push down, spring release covers. One for the cupholders, the other for wireless charging and your device’s cable port. The third was a deep bin with plastic containers for smalls and coins. To open it, it required lifting both of the two pull to release handles. Which was not very functional to do when driving.
Aesthetic features included the gearshift buttons set in a straight line like piano, keys; just after the push to start button. The volume knob is crystal, a nice visual, but a little excessive for its simple function. And the simplistic wheel face with clean track pads. One on either side, one to control driving, the other volume and wheel adjustment.
The Lincoln Navigator was a comfortable and convenient ride, but not an easy one. My brain and body were working harder to stay within the lanes and to control a vehicle much larger than myself. Plus to reel in this much power that you don’t really need for a day-to-day driver. As usual for such large Ford and Lincoln vehicles, there is great towing capacity, which I never get to or need to utilize. But boy was I proud to be seen with it, especially jumping into the driver seat of such a monster, as an unexpected surprise.
