2025’s Smartest Luxury Land Yachts
In 2025, the luxury three-row SUV has officially evolved from a mere people hauler into something more akin to a rolling command centre. Equal parts lounge, tech lab, and towing brute, today’s biggest SUVs are smarter, smoother, and more self-aware than most teenagers. But amidst all the chrome, leather, and LED mood lighting—who’s really leading the charge?
Let’s dive into the contenders vying for the throne of America’s smartest luxury land yacht.
Lincoln Navigator: The OG with New Tricks
If you want your SUV to feel like a Gulfstream on 22-inch wheels, Lincoln still has your number. The 2025 Navigator doubles down on what it does best: indulgence. Not content with merely offering 30-way massaging seats and adaptive air suspension, this year Lincoln introduces “Auto Repose” mode—yes, all three rows now recline simultaneously.
Ideal for mobile boardroom meetings or tailgate-induced comas.
Behind the scenes, Lincoln’s new SYNC 5 interface gets a boost from Google built-in and ChatGPT integration. That means it talks back—with more courtesy than your teenager and fewer complaints than your co-worker.
Under the hood? A twin-turbo V6 pumping out 440 horsepower through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Towing? Up to 8,700 pounds. Which, coincidentally, is also the approximate weight of the Navigator fully loaded with camping gear, six family members, and a golden retriever named Max.
BMW X7: The Over-Engineered Rocket Limo
If the Navigator is your leather-clad lounge, the BMW X7 xDrive60i is your high-tech spa day with a shot of espresso. With 523 horsepower, rear-wheel steering, and enough computing power to challenge a Mars rover, the X7 is very much the 7 Series with a better view.
Inside, the panoramic curved display wraps around you like an OLED hug, while the optional Executive Lounge package turns the second row into a business-class suite: footrests, Bowers & Wilkins surround sound, and a screen worthy of a Sundance submission.
Tech-wise, iDrive 8.5 is rapid, clever, and mostly intuitive—though die-hards may still mourn the demise of physical climate knobs. Honestly, so do I.
Mercedes-Benz GLS 580: Understated Sophistication
Then there’s the Mercedes GLS 580, quietly waiting in the wings with a mild-hybrid V8, adaptive dampers, and a cabin so plush it’s practically wearing a velvet smoking jacket.
Standard features include Burmester audio, hot stone massage seats, and active parking assist that doesn’t panic halfway into a parallel job. Yes, there’s a Maybach version if you’re feeling flush, but the regular GLS already makes most Bentleys look like airport shuttles.
MBUX has improved in 2025, with better voice commands and less gestural faffing about—but don’t expect it to pass the “can my mum use this?” test without a YouTube tutorial.
Infiniti QX80: The Surprise Comeback
Ah, Infiniti. The brand you forgot about just did a 15-year leap in one model year. The 2025 QX80 is built on a brand-new platform, ditches the truck bones, and adds a twin-turbo V6 for smooth, surprisingly confident performance.
Inside, you’re greeted with a stunning 24-inch curved display, “zero-gravity” seats, and biometric personalization—meaning the car remembers your preferred seat position, Spotify playlist, and even your favourite scent diffuser setting. Yes, really.
ProPILOT Assist 2.5 allows hands-free cruising with automatic lane changes. It’s a giant leap for Infiniti-kind, even if the low-speed ride still feels a bit too honest about road imperfections.
Volvo EX90: The Scandinavian Disruptor
For those who think leather is passé and tailpipes are a moral failing, Volvo’s EX90 arrives with 496 electric horses and a mission to prove minimalism can tow.
This all-electric 3-row SUV includes baked-in Google Automotive OS, bidirectional charging (yes, it can power your home), and hands-off driving thanks to roof-mounted LiDAR. It’s clean, quiet, and far quicker than it looks—though towing anything substantial may cut that advertised 300-mile range into something more “grocery run” than “road trip.”
Still, if you want your SUV with the conscience of a monk and the tech of a start-up founder, this is it.
Verdict: Who Wears the Crown?
So, who wins?
- Best tech and space: Lincoln Navigator
- Best driving experience: BMW X7
- Best cabin refinement: Mercedes GLS
- Most innovative: Volvo EX90
- Biggest glow-up: Infiniti QX80
And the all-around champion? The Navigator still rules American roads with a confident blend of usability, power, and understated tech. It’s not the flashiest, nor the most athletic—but it is the most complete. A rolling living room that makes no apologies for its size, and no compromises on comfort.
Because in 2025, the luxury SUV isn’t just about space or style. It’s about smarts. These aren’t just family haulers—they’re mobile command centers, relaxation pods, and rolling showcases of the automaker’s best tricks.
If you’re still comparing these to minivans… well, bless your heart.
