5 Ways the 2026 Lincoln Navigator's Split Gate Makes Loading and Unloading Easier
February 18 2026,
Full-size luxury SUVs carry a lot. Groceries after a Costco run, hockey bags and sticks before a tournament in Barrie, coolers and firewood heading to the cottage north of Alliston — the cargo area of a large SUV rarely sits empty for long. But loading and unloading that cargo has traditionally meant working around a single, upward-swinging liftgate that opens high and leaves everything below exposed. The 2026 Lincoln Navigator changes that pattern with its standard Lincoln Split Gate, a class-exclusive feature in the large traditional premium utility segment that rethinks how you access the rear of the vehicle.
The Split Gate divides the rear opening into two independently operating sections. The top three-quarters rises upward like a traditional power liftgate. The bottom quarter lowers downward like a conventional tailgate, creating a flat, waist-height surface behind the vehicle. This two-piece design gives Ontario families more control over how they load, unload, and use the back of the Navigator. Here are five everyday situations where the Split Gate makes a practical difference.
- Preventing Items from Rolling Out During Grocery Runs
Anyone who has opened a full liftgate in a parking lot knows the risk: bags shift during the drive, and the moment the gate swings up, items slide toward the bumper. The Split Gate addresses this directly. By opening just the top section first, the lowered tailgate portion acts as a physical barrier at bumper height, keeping bags, bottles, and loose items contained inside the cargo area. You can reach in and reorganize before lowering the bottom section, or simply grab what you need from the top opening without ever dropping the tailgate at all.
For families in Alliston and Simcoe County who make regular trips to the grocery store with a full cargo area, this small change removes a common frustration. Cans of soup and cartons of milk stay put instead of tumbling onto the pavement.
- Creating a Seating Area at Outdoor Events
The Navigator's lowered tailgate section sits at a comfortable height for sitting, and it is designed to support occupants who want to use it as an impromptu bench. At a sports field in Alliston, a parking lot before a concert, or a trailhead along the Niagara Escarpment, the Split Gate gives your family a place to sit, change shoes, have a snack, or simply take a break without needing to carry folding chairs.
When the top liftgate is raised overhead and the bottom tailgate is lowered flat, the Navigator's cargo area becomes an open, sheltered space — useful for tailgating at events or watching the kids play from the shade of the raised gate. It turns the back of the vehicle into a functional rest area without any accessories or setup.
- Loading Bulky or Heavy Items with a Flat Surface
The lowered tailgate creates a flat, stable surface at the rear of the vehicle that sits roughly at waist height. This makes it significantly easier to slide heavy or awkward items into the cargo area. Bags of landscaping material, cases of water, toolboxes, or large coolers can be placed on the tailgate first and then pushed inward, rather than lifted over a bumper lip and dropped into the cargo space.
For cottage-bound families loading up in the driveway, this is a meaningful ergonomic improvement. The Navigator offers up to 3,028 litres of maximum cargo volume behind the first row, and 612 litres behind the third row with all seats upright. Filling that space with weekend supplies, kids' gear, and provisions is faster and more comfortable when you have a load-height surface to work from.
- Organizing Cargo with the Available Tiered Cargo Area Management System
The Split Gate works in tandem with the Navigator's available Tiered Cargo Area Management System, which adds another layer of utility to the cargo area. The management system includes a convertible board that serves three functions: it can operate as a tailgate seat backrest (for when someone is sitting on the lowered tailgate), a cargo shelf that divides the cargo area into upper and lower sections, or a flat table with a capacity of up to 35 lbs.
When paired with the Split Gate, this system allows you to configure the rear of the Navigator for different tasks. Heading to a farmers' market or an outdoor event? Use the shelf to separate fragile items on top from heavier goods below. Setting up for a picnic at a park near Alliston? Lower the tailgate, flip the board into table mode, and you have a stable surface for food and drinks — no folding table required.
- Simplifying Access in Tight Parking Spaces
Traditional liftgates swing upward in a large arc, which can be a problem in low-clearance garages or underground parking structures. The Navigator's liftgate includes a programmable height setting that lets you limit how far the top section opens, so it clears low ceilings without striking overhead structures.
But the Split Gate adds another option: you can lower just the bottom tailgate to access cargo without raising the top section at all. In a tight parking spot at a shopping centre, at a covered arena, or in a residential garage with limited overhead clearance, this gives you a way to reach items in the cargo area without worrying about the liftgate hitting a beam or fixture above. It also keeps the full rear opening contained when parked close to other vehicles, reducing the footprint of the open gate in crowded lots.
Key Takeaways
|
Feature |
Detail |
|---|---|
|
Split Gate Design |
Top three-quarters rises; bottom quarter lowers |
|
Class Exclusive |
Only in the Large Traditional Premium Utility segment |
|
Standard Feature |
Included on all 2026 Navigator trims |
|
Cargo Management |
Available Tiered system with shelf, backrest, and table (35-lb capacity) |
|
Programmable Liftgate |
Adjustable opening height for low-clearance areas |
Learn More at Trillium Lincoln
The Split Gate is one of those features that changes how you use the Navigator on a daily basis. If you are curious about how it works in practice — how the two sections move, how the cargo management system converts, or how the programmable height is set — the best way to see it is in person. Visit our team right here in Alliston to explore the 2026 Lincoln Navigator and experience the Split Gate for yourself.
