Lincoln’s new 2022 Navigator is more than just a pretty face. The luxurious people hauler will offer buyers what the brand hopes will draw attention away from rivals: predictive and semi-autonomous driving technology that comes standard across all trims.
The brand, which is the premium division of Ford Motor Co., said it heavily edited its technology offerings so it’s more narrowly integrated with the way its “clients” live their lives. Lincoln also reshuffled its popular Black Label trims, an ultra-luxe lineup that comes with exclusive benefits for owners as well as more curated interior appointments that revolve around specific lifestyle “themes.”
This refresh gives Lincoln with ample opportunity to capture attention from buyers in the segment that have migrated to other big SUVs in recent years. Still in its fourth generation, the Navigator re-emerged with a complete overhaul for the 2018 model year but has since failed to keep pace with rivals, including General Motors’ Cadillac Escalade. Through July 2021, the Navigator logged sales of just 10,225, while the Escalade more than doubled that figure with sales of nearly 25,000 units during the same period, according to MotorIntelligence. Lincoln is betting that the forward-looking, tech-centered upgrades help it level set the playing field between the two competitors.
Predictive Driving Technology
Busy drivers will be able to leverage Lincoln’s new ActiveGlide to ease the fatigue of congested commutes or make long road trips more comfortable. ActiveGlide is a semi-autonomous system that mixes adaptive cruise control, lane centering and speed sign recognition with geofencing. Much like Ford’s Blue Cruise, the ActiveGlide enables hands-free driving on certain sections of divided highway called “blue zones.” Lincoln pre-mapped 130,000 miles of road in U.S. and Canada. Lincoln says Blue Cruise and ActiveGlide are different, but the fundamentals are the same.
As the Cadillac Escalade is Navigator’s No. 1 rival, the addition of this technology is necessary to keep it up to speed with the tech-stuffed premium full-size segment. General Motors’ Super Cruise, which uses geofencing in a similar fashion to enable hands-fee driving, is available on a few of its select products, including the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV and 2022 GMC Sierra pickup. Its system has 200,000 miles of pre-programmed highway knowledge in U.S. and Canada and now offers hands-free lane changing. The semi-autonomous lane change function also is included in Tesla’s controversial Autopilot.
Another one-up on the Escalade is the new Adaptive Suspension system with Road Preview that uses a combination of sensors and cameras to analyze the road ahead and mitigate road impacts. The system also analyzes car movement as well as steering, acceleration and braking patterns from the driver.
Cadillac’s optional Magnetic Ride Control similarly leverages sensors to read the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks. It also combines with the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension for continuous adjustments over the road. It still remains to be seen how the Lincoln tech will stack up against Cadillac’s as the new Navigator will not arrive in dealerships until early next year. However, the Escalade delivers a famously serene ride isolated from the pavement.
Cabin Comfort
Only time will tell if the upgrades can enrich one’s lifestyle, but one thing is for sure: back-seat passengers will feel spoiled. Lincoln has put more thought into all-around occupant comfort, which includes standard second-row heated and ventilated seats with an optional massage function and a 5.8-inch digital climate, audio and seat control panel.
An optional rear-seat entertainment package includes a pair of 10.1-inch screens with headphones, wireless streaming via Fire TV, 16 GB of storage to download Prime Video content to watch while unconnected and the ability to either split or share viewing across screens. Devices also can be connected using HDMI, USB-C and SD ports. Eight new speakers bring the total to 28 in the onboard Revel Ultima premium audio system.
Up front, the driver and passenger get new 30-way position seats and a quieter massage function that includes reconfigured patterns. The cabin also has new active noise control for a quiet ride. Lincoln replaced annoying dings and beeps that signal unbuckled seatbelts and open doors with six “crystalline chimes” recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Infotainment and Safety Tech
The tech menu in the 2022 Lincoln Navigator extends beyond semi-autonomous driving features to infotainment. For example, it promises to deliver a more enhanced version of its built-in Amazon Alexa via its Sync 4 infotainment system that will make playing music, navigating and scheduling an appointment easier. Users also will be able to check and control vehicle functions through the Lincoln Way app, which coordinates with Alexa.
Though in theory the presence of Alexa and Amazon’s sophisticated AI technology promises less frustration with native voice recognition units, Lincoln says its new operating system will be better than previous iterations. A 13.2-inch screen in the center stack controls commands like navigation, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. Periodic over-the-air updates also will keep the systems updated with installation of new features (specifically to improve drive modes and voice recognition) as well as preventative maintenance that Lincoln says will “reduce repair trips and improve performance.”
Lincoln layered on a digital design element called “Constellation” that is showcased on both the center display and the 12-inch gauge cluster that sits in front of the wheel. It’s meant to convey a sense of serenity and offers even deeper customization. A head-up display also is standard.
In addition to ActiveGlide, the new Navigator also offers Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 2.0 suite of advanced-driver assistance technology, which is standard across the line. It includes has forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking (“Dynamic Brake Support”), pedestrian detection, lane keep assist (“Distance Alert”), auto hold (allows the driver to take their foot off the brake when the car is stopped) and post-collision braking (stops the car from rolling after an impact).
New standard features include Intersection Assist, which prevents the driver from turning left if it detects oncoming traffic, and Active Park Assist 2.0. This self-parking system that also is now enhanced to help drivers out of a tight spot, which is especially useful in a land yacht like the Navigator.
Black Label Roll Call
Two new themes join the Black Label lineup: Central Park and Invitation. Destination has been dropped from the roster, while Yacht Club and Chalet remain. Lincoln says Central Park emulates the juxtaposition between the organic materials in Central Park and the concrete skyline that surrounds it. It uses open-pore dark walnut across the dash with detailing that looks like a city map. The interior is upholstered in green-grey leather (“Urban Green”) and a dark green exterior paint color (“Manhattan Green Metallic”) is available. Invitation is inspired by exclusive high-end gatherings and uses open-pore Khaya wood to dress the dash and center console. It’s detailing features geometric etchings with floral-esque swirls, and black leather covers the interior surfaces.
In addition to exclusive styling, Black Label Navigators come with premium maintenance, vehicle detailing, access to experiences curated by the Lincoln’s hospitality network and third-party memberships such as a the Avis President’s Club. There also are 163 Black Label Certified locations.
Black Label has become a popular calling card for the brand, and the specialized trim is also available on its two midsize SUVs, the larger Aviator and smaller Nautilus. The automaker says combined sales of Black Label models enjoyed a 15% jump in the first half of 2021.
Fresh Face, Familiar Powertrain
The 2022 Lincoln Navigator gets a visual update that includes an all-new front end, slimmer headlamps, a new more textured grille and 3D taillights on the rear with a design meant to “hug” the car. Adaptive LED pixel projector headlights on both the front and rear provide more illumination, bending around corners and reducing glare for oncoming traffic. They also give the SUV a sleeker, more commanding aesthetic.
Underneath the skin, the mechanical pieces are familiar. Power comes from the same twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission as last year, but the engine now delivers 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. That’s a decrease of 10 horsepower over the 2021 model but in such a large SUV even keen drivers would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Lincoln says the changes do not affect performance.
The Navigator’s heavy-duty tow package now includes Trailer Reverse Guidance as standard equipment. The enhanced system uses high-definition cameras to give the driver multiple rear views and steering assistance that helps when maneuvering a trailer. It also works with the existing Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, which is an aid for backing up with a trailer hitched.
The 2022 Lincoln Navigator will go on sale early next year and will be assembled at the Ford’s truck factory in Louisville, Kentucky, which also builds the Ford Super Duty heavy-duty pickup and the Ford Expedition full-size SUV.
