In the last few years, the industry has elevated the Mercedes-Benz G-Class from a niche vehicle into a benchmark. Consumers continue to buy rugged, off-road-oriented vehicles, and luxury brands are scrambling to launch their own G-Wagen competitors, Lincoln included.
Yes, the brand that built the Town Car allegedly wants to compete with Mercedes, Land Rover, and others. The first rumors of a possible Bronco-based Lincoln emerged earlier this year, and we’ve heard more and more ever since.
Lincoln has made no mention of the model, to its credit, but the few tidbits of information that have leaked start to paint a clearer picture. Production is expected to begin around the end of the decade at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, where it builds the Bronco.
We expect the new Lincoln to share quite a bit with its Ford sibling, with a focus on blending capability and comfort. How Lincoln achieves this is the mystery, but this is everything we know about Lincoln’s Bronco-based SUV so far.
What Will Lincoln Call It?
2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid
Photo by: Lincoln
It’s been nearly a decade since Lincoln stopped trying to imitate the Germans and reverted to using real names for its models. The luxury brand resurrected the Aviator and added Corsair and Nautilus to the roster alongside Navigator, which has been a staple in Lincoln’s lineup for nearly 30 years. Even the Continental returned for a brief period.
Lincoln has not indicated what it could name this rumored off-road model. Its current lineup features names with an exploration theme, and we expect the brand to stick with that for its new SUV.
It has been over a year since Ford began its search for a “nomenclature strategist,” and we hope the Blue Oval found the right person for the job—a new Lincoln needs a name (editor’s note: they should bring back Blackwood).
What Will It Look Like?
Ford Bronco-based Lincoln Off-Road SUV Rendering By Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
Lincoln’s styling is much softer than Ford’s, so we expect the luxury brand’s rugged new model to have an overall subtler tone. Sources say the Lincoln will have an exclusive exterior design, but it’s unclear how much the brand will change.
Our rendering depicts the boxy SUV with a new front fascia, lights, and hood. The trail sights are gone, along with other rugged kit, replaced by smoother sheet metal. The fender flares are not as pronounced as those on the Bronco, and the roof isn’t removable.
We doubt the new Lincoln will offer the same amount of open-air motoring as the Bronco, if any at all. If the brand wants to create a luxurious interior that can compete with Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, it must enclose the cabin.
Inside, the Lincoln should have an upscale cabin on par with what’s offered in other Lincoln models. Expect plenty of fine leather, unique trim, and other special features.
What Platform Will It Ride On?
Ford Bronco 60th Anniversary package
Photo by: Ford
The new Lincoln SUV will share its body-on-frame platform with the Ford Bronco. The architecture provides a capable base for the luxury brand to build its G-Class competitor. We expect the new SUV to share numerous components with the Ford, but with a focus on blending comfort with off-road capability.
There is also a good chance that the Lincoln will ride on an updated version of the Bronco’s current bones. Ford is expected to update the Bronco around the end of the decade, likely including numerous minor platform improvements for the next-generation model.
Will Power It?
The current Ford Bronco accommodates three engines. The standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower, while the optional turbo 2.7-liter V6 produces 330 hp. The Bronco Raptor features the 418-hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, which also powers the Aviator with 383 hp.
We expect Ford’s twin-turbo V6 to be one likely available powertrain in the Lincoln derivative, producing around 400 hp. The automaker could also borrow the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid from the Nautilus, which produces 310 hp, providing an efficient, cost-conscious option.
If Lincoln truly wants to compete with the G-Wagen at all levels, it will need a proper response to the AMG variant, which makes 577 hp from its twin-turbocharged V8. Lincoln could even create a range-extended EV version—a technology Ford is in the process of developing.
When Will It Debut?
Current reports suggest Lincoln plans to launch the new model at the end of the decade. Production is rumored to start in the summer of 2029 at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant.
If that timeline is accurate, we likely will not see Lincoln reveal the SUV until 2028, two years from now. The automaker might tease a concept that previews the future model sooner, but if you want a luxury version of the Bronco, you will have to wait.
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
How Much Will It Cost?
The luxury off-road segment is diverse. At the top is the G-Wagen. It’s a $155,250 luxury tank that has become the standard, and that doesn’t even account for the AMG G63, which is a $200,200 SUV.
Then there are options like the Land Rover Defender. The Defender 110 is much more reasonably priced with a $66,950 starting price, but the price can reach well into the six-figure range with the Defender Octa, the 626-horsepower option.
While the rugged Lincoln might consider the G-Class a competitor, its rumored price puts it in Land Rover territory. The new Lincoln will allegedly slot below the Navigator in the lineup and start in the $70,000 range. The 2027 Navigator starts at $92,890.
