Used 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator large luxury SUV has gone up a notch. Improvements this year have cemented the Navigator’s status as one of the best in its class. The adaptive suspension, infotainment system, and driver assistance technologies all receive upgrades. Not that there was anything wrong in these areas last year, but the Navigator now competes even more decisively against rival vehicles.

This spacious 8-seater has an extraordinarily plush interior housing a high-end audio system as standard, along with a comprehensive array of safety equipment and a lot of convenience features like power-retractable running boards. The extended Navigator L adds greater cargo space.

The Navigator is based on the full-size Ford Expedition, but Lincoln has transformed it into a true luxury conveyance. If buyers wanted something appreciably beyond this level, they’d have to start looking at something like the Mercedes-Maybach GLS from about $165k or the Range Rover Autobiography at over $200k.

A drop of 10 horsepower from last year’s 450 probably won’t be that perceptible in the 2022 Navigator. What should be more noticeable is the effect of the new forward-facing camera that relays information on the road surface to the standard adaptive suspension, so it can adjust its settings to suit before encountering any rough stuff.

Active noise control and acoustic glass for the front and second-row side windows contribute to a quiet cabin. Selectable driving modes are standard, with settings that include Eco, Normal and Excite (the sporty one).

Don’t expect anything particularly sporty, though. Lincoln tends to use words like “effortless” and “calm” when describing the Navigator.

The Navigator is one of the largest examples of the full-size SUV class. So thank goodness a self-parking feature for parallel and perpendicular spaces is part of the deal.

ActiveGlide comes in at the Reserve level. It’s a form of adaptive cruise control with stop/go that utilizes various other functions such as road edge detection, lane centering, and road sign recognition that allow the driver to let go of the steering wheel.

It’s hands-off, feet-off, partially autonomous driving. However, it only works on certain highways that have already been mapped and stored in the Navigator — ActiveGlide also uses the navigation system. So far, there’s about 130,000 miles of certified roads. The other crucial aspect is that the driver’s eyes must still be kept on the road at all times. A camera and sensors are watching, and will emit warnings if necessary.

Maximum towing capacity is 8,700 pounds when the Navigator has the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package that’s optional in Reserve and Black Label trims. This includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist that helps drivers reverse their entire Navigator/trailer rig into a parking spot.

Another of the words Lincoln likes to ascribe to the 2022 Navigator is “sanctuary.” This is one of those vehicles that isolates and insulates its occupants from the big, bad outside world.

Luckily, the roomy and well-appointed 3-row interior makes a big, good inside world. The seats are wonderfully comfortable and only get better in the higher trims. Legroom in all three rows is generous, with an expansive 40.9 inches in third row.

There’s seating for eight, unless the optional second-row captain’s chairs are chosen, which results in accommodation for seven.

The longer Navigator L doesn’t bring any more passenger space but turns a plentiful cargo area into a cavernous one. Compare the L’s minimum and maximum of 36 and 120.3 cubic feet with the regular version’s 20.9 and 103.4 cubic feet.

The Black Label brings a choice of interior design themes. Two new ones are available this year. Central Park comes with dark walnut wood trim showing laser-etched pathways of New York City’s actual Central Park. Invitation has Khaya wood (also known as African mahogany) with a reddish tinge. These themes join Chalet and Yacht Club carried over from last year.

New adaptive LED headlights plus LED taillights with a three-dimensional effect are the main ingredients in the mild styling revision applied to the 2022 Navigator. Fresh paint choices for the base and Reserve models this year are Ocean Drive Blue Metallic and Starlight Gray. Black Label versions offer Chroma Caviar Dark Gray Metallic and Manhattan Green Metallic.

Extra adornments for this already imposing vehicle include Reserve trim’s Monochromatic package and the Black Label’s Special Edition package that adds a black roof, and a dedicated grille design of black mesh and bright chrome.

SYNC4 INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Big improvements to the Lincoln Navigator’s infotainment setup this year bring the ability for over-the-air updates, advanced voice recognition (allowing the use of natural speech for commands), Amazon Alexa compatibility, a bigger touchscreen (going from 10 inches to 13.2), and a navigation system with a predictive destination feature.

REVEL AUDIO SYSTEMS
Revel is well regarded among audiophiles. The ultimate system in the 2022 Navigator gains another eight speakers on top of last year’s 20 for a surround sound that’s even more immersive. All the better to enjoy the various chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

In no-name base trim, the 2022 Navigator is anything but basic. Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, power-retractable running boards, rain-sensing wipers, hands-free tailgate operation with obstacle detection, remote start, 12-inch digital driver information display, heated/ventilated/10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated/power-adjustable steering wheel, 3-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated second-row seats, simulated leather upholstery, ambient LED cabin lighting, thick carpeting, 110-volt outlet, and a rear-seat occupant alert.

Safety is also well represented, bringing driver assistance features like forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, evasive steering assist, self-parking function, front/side/rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

The infotainment system has a 13.2-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, wireless charging, satellite radio, navigation, and a 14-speaker Revel audio system.

To that substantial equipment list, Reserve trim brings a panoramic sunroof with a powered shade, illuminated power-retractable running boards, and 22-inch alloy wheels — all of which are optional in the base model.

Other additions are leather seating surfaces for the first two rows, 24-way power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, ActiveGlide partial self-driving, head-up display, and a 5.8-inch touchscreen (also new for this year) with infotainment system controls for the second row. An array of advanced towing assistance features becomes available as well.

This trim is eligible for a Luxury package that includes massaging/30-way power-adjustable front seats and a 28-speaker Revel surround-sound system. Massaging second-row seats are also optional, plus a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones and now with Amazon Fire TV for streaming. Those first two extras are standard in Black Label trim.

Black Label comes with 4-wheel drive as standard, plus power-adjustable pedals, upgraded leather seating surfaces for all three rows, plus the options of the rear-seat entertainment system, and massaging second-row seats. Where the Black Label really distinguishes itself is with the choice of interior design themes and the lavish customer service.

Owners can arrange for Lincoln to collect their 2022 Navigator for a service, leave a temporary loaner, and bring it back when the work is complete. Other benefits include free rental cars when traveling to certain airports, and fine dining.

The Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package is offered with Reserve and Black Label versions.

This year, the Lincoln Navigator loses 10 horsepower as its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 is detuned slightly in the interests of fuel economy and emissions. Torque remains the same.

Output figures of 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque are achieved with premium gasoline. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as the default configuration, or optional 4-wheel drive (4WD).

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
440 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
510 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (RWD), 16/22 mpg (4WD)