Lincoln Navigator, Nautilus Lead Luxury Push as Recalls Emerge

Lincoln is making waves in the luxury vehicle market with impressive reviews for its 2025 Navigator and continued accolades for the Nautilus, even as the automaker addresses a safety recall affecting over 43,000 vehicles. The developments highlight both the brand's commitment to premium experiences and the importance of proactive safety measures in today's automotive landscape.

The 2025 Navigator: A Sanctuary on Wheels

After 27 years of evolution, the Lincoln Navigator has firmly established itself as more than just a luxury SUV—it's a mobile sanctuary. The 2025 model, now in its fifth generation, represents a significant leap from its 1998 origins as a barely-disguised Ford Expedition.

According to MotorWeek's recent road test, the latest Navigator delivers what Lincoln calls "the ultimate road-going sanctuary," combining truck-like sturdiness with the refined comfort expected from a luxury brand. Under the hood, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, delivering V8-like performance with impressive acceleration numbers.

Performance That Surprises

The Navigator's performance credentials are genuinely impressive for a vehicle of its size. Testing revealed a 0-60 mph time of just 5.5 seconds and a quarter-mile run in 14.2 seconds at 96 mph—numbers that would have seemed impossible for a full-size luxury SUV just a few years ago. As MotorWeek noted, "It's shocking how quick it is off the line" for a vehicle built primarily for highway cruising rather than drag strip runs.

The braking performance is equally noteworthy, with 13-inch rotors and twin-piston front calipers bringing all 6,000 pounds to a stop from 60 mph in an average of 123 feet, with minimal ABS intervention.

Interior Innovation Defines the Experience

Where the Navigator truly distinguishes itself is inside the cabin. The centerpiece is a massive 48-inch screen spanning nearly the entire dashboard, creating what Lincoln calls its Digital Experience. This isn't merely a tech showcase—the system offers practical features like blind spot camera views and customizable information displays that keep critical data within the driver's line of sight.

The luxury appointments extend throughout the vehicle. Standard seats offer 24-way adjustment, while Black Label trims provide up to 30 ways to customize seating position. Lincoln's Rejuvenate feature transforms the vehicle into an automotive spa, using seat heating and massaging functions, specialized audio and video programming, and even soothing fragrances for a complete wellness experience.

Starting prices reflect the premium positioning: the Reserve trim begins at $102,190, while Black Label models start at $119,190. An extended wheelbase Navigator L variant remains available for those needing even more space.

Nautilus Continues to Impress in Long-Term Testing

While the Navigator garners headlines, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus continues to validate its SUV of the Year award through MotorTrend's ongoing evaluation. After 10 months and nearly 16,000 miles, the Nautilus Black Label test vehicle has proven itself as both practical and peaceful.

The midsize SUV offers genuinely spacious cargo capacity—35.2 cubic feet with seats up and 68.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. This significantly outpaces competitors like the Lexus RX (29.6/46.2 cubic feet) and Cadillac Lyriq (28.0/60.8 cubic feet). The practical Split Gate tailgate design aids loading while doubling as a proper tailgate for outdoor events.

Wellness Features Expand

Lincoln recently introduced a new "Forest Meditation" theme to the Nautilus through an over-the-air update. Developed with the Calm app, this addition uses visuals, natural sounds, and earthy scents to create a forest walk sensation. The feature joins existing themes including Aurora Borealis and Waterfall Meditation, offering 5- or 10-minute guided sessions narrated by Calm's Tamara Levitt.

Real-world fuel economy for the hybrid Nautilus averaged 25.3 mpg over the test period—respectable for a vehicle offering 310 combined horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and electric motor combination.

Safety Recall Affects Multiple Models

Despite these positive developments, Ford issued a recall affecting 43,117 Lincoln and Ford vehicles on October 23. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall addresses a pedestrian warning sound malfunction that could prevent vehicles from emitting required audio alerts at certain speeds, potentially increasing injury risk to pedestrians.

The affected models include:

• 2025 Ford Explorer Hybrid
• 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid
• 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid
• 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid

Ford will notify affected owners by mail on November 10, 2025. Dealers will install updated software free of charge to resolve the issue. This follows an earlier recall in April 2025 that affected over 1.4 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles due to rearview camera concerns.

Vehicle owners can check if their car is affected by searching the NHTSA database using their vehicle identification number (VIN), or by visiting USA TODAY's recall database for comprehensive recall information across all product categories.

Looking Ahead for Lincoln

Lincoln's strategy appears focused on differentiating through wellness-oriented luxury features rather than competing solely on technology specs or performance numbers. This approach resonates with consumers seeking respite from daily stress—a sanctuary on wheels, as Lincoln markets it.

The brand's commitment to over-the-air updates demonstrates an understanding that luxury today means continuous improvement rather than static features. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, this capability allows Lincoln to enhance ownership experience long after purchase.

The Bottom Line

Lincoln's current lineup showcases a brand confidently pursuing a distinct vision of American luxury. The 2025 Navigator's combination of commanding presence, surprising performance, and sanctuary-like interior creates a compelling alternative to traditional luxury SUVs. Meanwhile, the Nautilus proves that wellness features and practical capability can coexist successfully in a midsize package.

The recent recall, while concerning, reflects responsible automotive safety practices. Modern vehicles' complexity means occasional issues are inevitable—what matters is how manufacturers respond. Ford's proactive notification and no-cost software fix demonstrate appropriate prioritization of customer safety.

For consumers considering Lincoln, these vehicles offer genuine differentiation in a crowded luxury market. Whether the expansive Navigator or the award-winning Nautilus, both represent Lincoln's evolved understanding of what luxury means to today's drivers: not just premium materials and powerful engines, but spaces designed for well-being and tranquility in our increasingly hectic world.