Photos by Paul Borden

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 16, 2022) With updated exterior features, a plush roomy interior filled with user-friendly tech features, and a muscular, twin-turbocharged V6 to propel its hefty weight, the refreshed Lincoln Navigator sits at the top of the company’s all-SUV portfolio for 2022. Available in three trim levels and in short or long wheelbase form, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator offers buyers an appealing choice for those shopping in the full-size luxury SUV segment.

The updates for 2022 place the Lincoln Navigator among the leaders of a select but competitive segment the features imports from Germany and Japan as well as fellow countrymen Cadillac and Jeep.

All trims of the 2022 Lincoln Navigator — Base, Reserve, and Black Label — are powered by a 3.5-liter, twin turbo V6 engine that is rated at 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque and mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

That’s enough power to move its nearly 6,000-pounds curb weight from zero-to-60 in 5.6 seconds while offering towing capacity of over 8,000 pounds for the 4x4 Black Label trim that this review is based on.

Fuel efficiency ratings are competitive as well — 17 city, 23 highway for 4X2 models, 16/22 for 4X4 using premium fuel. Keep in mind that these are not vehicles for the fuel-conscious.

Drivers have the choice of several different drive modes with adjustments for sportier performance (which Lincoln dubs Excite), better fuel economy (which Lincoln calls it Conserve), and hazardous conditions like snow, mud, or slick surfaces.

While all that is impressive, the really “wow” factor emerges with the 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s interior. The Black Label comes in four design themes each featuring variants of the plush leather throughout the cabin.

The Chalet Theme of my test vehicle had alpine leather seats with Lincoln Star perforation, an alpine suede headliner, and a .two-tone back and white color scheme that was particularly eye-catching. Other themes are Central Park, Invitation, and Yacht Club, each with distinctive touches.

Standard equipment includes all the bells and whistles you expect (demand) of the luxury class. Special carpeting, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, tri-zone climate control, etc. are all included.

Tech features start with a 13.2-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash for operation of infotainment features in the Sync4 System, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice command recognition.

afety features include the usual, like blind-spot warning, Intelligent Cruise Control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and speed sign recognition, and a surround view camera — a must for a vehicle of this size.

Lincoln’s Active Glide hands-free driving system also makes it debut on the Navigator’s Reserve and Black Label trims, though you still need to pay attention to what is going on on the road ahead of you. It is activated via the Intelligent Cruise Control system by punching a button on the steering wheel.

One of the big attractions for the 2022 Lincoln Navigator is its size. With a length of 210 inches for the standard model and 221 for the Navigator L space is extensive in all three rows. Even the back row riders get a minimum of 36.1 inches of legroom that is extended to 40.9 inches with the second-row seats pulled forward.



But as the OCD-afflicted detective (well, ex-detective) Monk used to say in the old USA television series of that name, that size is a blessing — and a curse. Just search for a space in a crowd mall parking lot and you’ll see what I mean about a “curse.”

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator Black Label edition carries a starting price of $108,330 before any extras are added on. The Reserve trim, which is probably the most popular, starts at $91,250. The Base, which is well equipped, starts at $79,330. Those price tags are pretty common in the segment.
 
What I liked about the 2022 Lincoln Navigator: The cabin is spacious and filled with premium quality materials in an attractive two-tone color scheme. Lots of soft touch areas throughout. The grab handles and retractable running boards make getting in and out a snap. Rear storage is adequate for most tasks and extremely generous with the third-row seats folded flat. Tech features are easy to operate via the new 13.2-inch touchscreen or duplicate buttons for some functions.

What I didn’t like about the 2022 Lincoln Navigator: Maneuverability in mall parking lots and high-rise parking facilities isn’t the easiest. A week of driving in both urban and rural environments produced fuel mileage numbers a bit shy of the 16/22 mpg advertised, but not by a significant margin.

Would I buy the 2022 Lincoln Navigator? I’m not personally in the market for a full-size SUV, even one as nicely done as the Navigator. But if you need an SUV of this size and shop in the luxury segment, you should add this to your list of “must-see” options.