A plush off-roader would sell like hotcakes
The current automotive landscape is riddled with off-road-focused family SUVs that blend our inner desire for outdoorsy ruggedness with our everyday needs for practicality and comfort. Examples like the Land Rover Defender and the Lexus GX serve as benchmarks for premium mid-size off-road SUVs, but these days it seems like almost every brand is trying to capitalize on the all-terrain hype. Just last week, Hyundai debuted their all-new Palisade XRT PRO, Nissan has begun incorporating its “Rock Creek” trim packages into its crossover lineups, and Ford has created similar off-road-focused trim levels under the “Tremor” nameplate.
James Riswick
Lincoln is one of the few brands that hasn’t yet integrated any rugged, all-terrain-focused models or trim packages into its lineup, instead leaning in the opposite direction towards poised comfort and luxury. While this direction certainly makes sense for Lincoln as an elegant luxury marque, leaving the more abrasive models for Ford’s lineup, it seems Lincoln is missing out on an opportunity to compete in a segment that’s ripe for business, especially considering the capable platforms they have access to through Ford’s parts bin. Perhaps the most obvious choice is Ford’s T6 platform, which currently underpins the Bronco SUV and the Ranger midsize pickup truck, as it would serve as an excellent foundation for a luxurious, midsize off-road Lincoln SUV that could directly compete with the Lexus GX and the Land Rover Defender.
John Beltz Snyder
Using generative text-to-image artificial intelligence and Adobe Photoshop, we take an imagined look at what a Ford Bronco-based Lincoln SUV could look like, incorporating current Lincoln design elements and styling cues, and imagining what currently existing powertrains and running gear it could optimize. These images are for speculation purposes only and in no way depict any actual Ford or Lincoln products.
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A focused off-road SUV could redefine Lincoln’s brand appeal
Over the years, Lincoln has earned itself a reputation for producing surprisingly comfortable, luxurious variants of Ford-based products with smooth rides and plush cabin environments. A Bronco-based off-road SUV could take this ethos a step further, combining Lincoln’s reputation for comfort and luxury with the capable off-road chops of the Ford Bronco. It’s precisely this ethos–the combination of comfort, power, and rugged capability–that makes the Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender such compelling offerings in the marketplace. While a standard Ford Bronco might be noisy and bouncy, a Lincoln offering could see much more interior insulation, a more sophisticated yet firm ride, and smoother power output.
Possibly using a detuned variant of the Ford Bronco Raptor’s 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing somewhere around 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, the Bronco-based Lincoln off-roader would be directly aimed at the Land Rover Defender P400 and the Lexus GX 550 in terms of performance. Mated to Lincoln’s available 10-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range, four-wheel drive transfer case, this off-road contender would have some serious capability under its belt to take on the likes of more established luxury off-roader nameplates. If that’s not enough power to satisfy your taste buds, and assuming it’ll fit under the hood, the Ford F-150 Raptor’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 would be a welcome option for the Lincoln SUV. Offering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, the Lincoln off-roader would boast power figures similar to those of the all-new 2025 Lincoln Navigator, despite being significantly lighter.
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The Lincoln off-roader’s interior would be packed with amenities galore
What could make traversing an alpine trail more comfortable than a 30-way adjustable driver’s seat with heating, ventilation, and massage functions bolstering you tightly in place, with a Revel Ultima sound system crisply amplifying your favourite tunes? Throw in a heated steering wheel, a panoramic glass moonroof, heaps of safety tech, and plenty of body panel insulation, and the Lincoln off-road SUV would keep your mind at ease while you plow through tough terrain. Essentially, the Lincoln off-road SUV should take the rugged simplicity of the Ford Bronco’s interior cabin and expand upon it with plush creature comforts, supple high-quality materials and upholstery, and modifications that diminish road noise. All of these features combined would retain Lincoln’s current brand ethos of sanctuary on wheels, while also retaining the vehicle’s overall rugged tone.
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Final thoughts
Despite Lincoln’s direction towards elegance and plush luxury, an off-road-focused vehicle within its lineup wouldn’t be so out of place. Lexus seems to be the prime example that proves this point, considering how well its off-road offerings enhance the capabilities of the automaker’s lineup, even as they sit alongside popular crossovers and sedans with much softer overall tones.
The GX, while also being a popular model for Lexus, maintains a long-developed reputation for the brand for extreme durability, real-world capability, and unmatched comfort. A Ford Bronco-based luxury off-road SUV could do the same for Lincoln, enhancing the brand’s market appeal and diversifying its portfolio of available SUVs. For now, nothing is confirmed with regards to Lincoln employing the Ford T6 platform to underpin any off-road SUVs, but we think they’d be remiss if they didn’t at least consider the possibility.
About the author
Cole Attisha
Staff Writer, Autoblog