Should You Take the 2022 Lincoln Navigator Off Road?

Though the 2022 Lincoln Navigator has a mighty engine and impressive ground clearance, it’s not designed for serious off-roading.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Though the 2022 Lincoln Navigator can tackle casual off-roading, it’s designed to be driven on the highway. 
For off-roading enthusiasts, a vehicle that can conquer any type of terrain opens the door to all sorts of adventures. As exciting as that may be, not all cars are built for cross-country driving. Though it has a lofty ground clearance and mighty engine, the Lincoln Navigator is best enjoyed with four tires firmly on the pavement.
But what if you absolutely need to take your Navigator off-road? Here to answer your burning questions is
Jerry
, our super app for finding affordable
car insurance
. We’ll walk you through the Navigator’s off-roading specs, list a few awesome alternatives, and show you how to save some serious dough on your
Lincoln Navigator car insurance

Can the 2022 Lincoln Navigator go off road?

Technically, the Navigator can go off-road, but it’s built for the highway.
With a starting price tag of nearly $80,000, the 2022 Navigator is clearly designed for luxury. It’s got an upscale interior, a huge cabin, and enough tech bells and whistles to make Steve Jobs blush. 
The Navigator also has a 440-hp engine and adaptive suspension that adjusts to bumps in the road—so, if going off-road is unavoidable, you should be just fine! To get a better idea of the Navigator’s all-terrain chops, let’s take a closer look at some crucial specs.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance, or the distance between the bottom of your car and the road, is essential to off-roading greatness. A lofty clearance can mean the difference between conquering obstacles with ease and leaving your Lincoln’s paint all over the trail.
The Navigator has 9.7 inches of ground clearance, the same as the
Jeep Wrangler
, the quintessential off-roader.

Torque

Torque is another area where the Lincoln Navigator excels because its twin-turbocharged V6 specializes in low-end torque
Simply put, a vehicle with low-end torque can reach its maximum power at a low speed, which is perfect for off-roading. The Navigator produces a massive 510 lb-ft of torque at a relatively low 3000 rpm. With numbers like that, the Navigator will have no problem powering out of deep ruts or thick mud.

Tires

Spectacular torque doesn’t mean anything if your tires don’t have enough traction to use it. The Navigator comes with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Tires
However, if you want to take your off-roading to the next level, a rugged set of
all-terrain tires
is a must-have. They’ll wear down a bit quicker, but the grippy tread on all-terrain tires will allow you to achieve your peak off-roading potential.
MORE: Winter tires vs. all-season tires: Which is better?

Drivetrain

Though the 2022 Lincoln Navigator comes standard with rear-wheel drive, upgrading to four-wheel drive is a no-brainer for off-roading. It’ll set you back a few thousand dollars, but the extra power will be well worth it on the mountainside. 

Angles

Before we reach a final verdict, there’s one more metric to look at: approach and departure angles!
  • Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference 
  • Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The Lincoln’s approach and departure angles both land at about 22.0 degrees, which is less than ideal for off-roading. If you want to crawl over rocks, logs, and roots without breaking a sweat, you’d be better off in a
Jeep Gladiator
or
Ford Bronco

Off-road rating: In a Pinch

Finally, it’s time to take a look at Jerry’s super sophisticated DIRT rating system:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
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For the 2022 Lincoln Navigator, we bestow a rating of—drumroll please—In a Pinch! The Navigator has plenty of power to travel on dirt or gravel, but it’s designed for smoother highway driving.
If you’re serious about off-roading (and you don’t want to deck out your Navigator like
this gentleman
), we’ve put together some killer alternatives for you to consider in the next section.

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Lincoln Navigator

No doubt, the Navigator is a knockout SUV—but what if you need something that’s a bit more affordable? Or a serious trail warrior? Consider these alternatives to the 2022 Lincoln Navigator:
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2022
BMW X7
$74,900
The X7 has a commanding V8 engine that produces *even more* torque than the Navigator—and it’s $5,000 cheaper!
Best stylish alternative
$79,195
It’s hard to beat the design of the Escalade, with its imposing grille and all-black exterior.
Best alternative for serious off-roading
2021
Ford Bronco
Wildtrak
$48,475
Need something that will dominate the trail? The Bronco Wildtrak has four-wheel drive, a strong V6 engine, and impressive angles for climbing.
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

With its cutting-edge technology, premium interior, and vigorous engine, there are virtually no negatives to owning a Navigator—except for one! Since the Navigator is a high-class vehicle, you’ll probably get stuck with a lofty insurance premium.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! With
Jerry
, our car insurance comparison super app, you can fight back against high
car insurance
payments. Sign up in just 45 seconds, then compare rates from more than 55 top insurers.
Once you’ve picked your favorite quote, we’ll even help you switch policies! Shopping for insurance with Jerry is as quick and painless as sending a text. Plus, the average Jerry user saves over $800 on car insurance! What’s not to love?
“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
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