Overview & Reviews

Since its pioneering days in the 1990s as the first full-size luxury SUV, the Lincoln Navigator has always been a traditional truck-based SUV with standard V8 power. Over the course of its three generations, the Navigator has offered seating for seven to eight and plenty of cargo and towing capacity. As such, it often appeals to large families and/or those with a boat or trailer to tow.

Drawbacks to the early Navigators included subpar fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, sloppy handling and an interior that didn't really live up to other luxury brands. Although the current Lincoln Navigator is certainly the most advanced, those drawbacks continue to this day when stacked up against its rivals. Add in a retro interior design that looks both intentionally and unintentionally dated, and you get a full-size luxury SUV that is far past its prime.

Current Lincoln Navigator
The current Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV styled and equipped for an upscale audience. It shares the bulk of its underpinnings with the Ford Expedition, including its standard 310-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. Navigator buyers have a choice between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.

The Navigator is offered in one well-appointed trim level that includes 18-inch wheels, three-row seating for seven (with captain's chairs in the second row), leather upholstery, multizone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second- and third-row seats, Sync voice activation, a navigation system, Bluetooth, a power liftgate, power-folding third-row seats and a 14-speaker surround-sound audio system. Stand-alone options include 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, a heavy-duty tow package and a dual display rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

The ability to seat adults comfortably in all three rows of seats is the Lincoln Navigator's greatest advantage over other full-size competitors, most notably the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's independent rear suspension allows for a lower floor, which opens up more rear legroom while providing fold-flat capability for the third row. Besides its dated interior and cumbersome driving dynamics compared to more modern SUVs, the Navigator also suffers from lackluster acceleration and fuel economy.

Used Lincoln Navigator Models
The present, third-generation Navigator took to the stage in 2007 with significant updates to the exterior styling, frame and rear suspension, along with larger brakes, higher-quality cabin furnishings and additional sound insulation. These changes added significantly to curb weight, but yielded tidier handling dynamics and a quieter, more refined ride.

The 2007 refresh also brought about a pronounced, chrome-heavy grille design that was reminiscent of an early 1960s Continental as well as a similarly retro-inspired cabin design that further differentiated the Navigator from its Expedition roots. Two years later the Navigator gained 10 more hp, Ford's Sync voice control system and a more advanced, hard-drive-based navigation system that allowed voice activation. Only minor feature updates have occurred since.

For other used Navigators, you'll want to check out the two previous generations. The second generation was in production from 2003-'06 and featured many revisions inside and out, compared to the first generation. In addition to a larger grille and numerous other styling changes, this variant was the first to incorporate a six-speed transmission and an independent rear suspension. One of the more prominent interior alterations included a symmetrical, dual-cockpit layout also inspired by vintage Lincoln Continentals.

Consumers looking at used Lincoln Navigators would be wise to confine their search to 2005 and newer models, as Navigators sold in 2003 and '04 had an older version of the 5.4-liter engine. It had a 300-hp rating but produced less torque than the current engine. It also came paired to a less sophisticated four-speed automatic transmission. Safety-conscious buyers should note that Navigators sold before '07 did not have front-seat side airbags and only provided side curtain coverage for the first two rows of seating. Stability control was optional rather than standard, up until the '05 model year.

The first generation Lincoln Navigator was sold from 1998-2002. It arrived one year after Ford's Expedition hit the market and was basically a rebadged version of that vehicle but with softer leather, extra wood grain trim and additional chrome detailing. The differences weren't so easy to spot, especially on the inside where Lincoln's dash design hardly differed at all. In fact, the Navigator's most noticeable distinction over the Expedition was its higher price, and indeed the first-gen Navigator enjoyed one of the highest profit margins of any vehicle on the market.

First-year Navigators were considered underpowered, as a 230-hp 5.4-liter V8 was their sole source of motivation. Things improved in 1999 when the Navigator got exclusive access to a 300-hp, double-overhead-cam version of the 5.4-liter V8. Compared to today's large SUVs, the first-gen Navigator was decidedly trucklike in its demeanor. Continual course correction was necessary to keep it pointed straight ahead on the highway, and the steering had a disconnected feel, whether you were finessing the Lincoln into a parking space or going around a curve at speed.

If you're shopping for a used Lincoln Navigator from this generation, it's a good idea to pay attention to the year-by-year changes. In addition to the more powerful V8, 1999 Navigators gained power-adjustable pedals and more easily removable third-row seats (thanks to rollers mounted on the bottoms). For 2000, the Navigator received front-seat side airbags, much needed optional rear parking sensors and a CD-based navigation system. Rear-seat video entertainment

User Reviews:

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  Super Comfortable - 2014 Lincoln Navigator
  By primodel - April 27 - 7:07 pm

  This my 3rd Navigator, 1998, 2003 and 2014. I am super pleased with the 2014 model. Comfort for me is priority #1. I tested several other models in the same price range and the Navigator came out on top. For a big unit like this it rides extremenly well. Gas cost at $3.40 a gallon represents a weekly cost of $11.00 in fuel vs 17mpg on any other vehicle. I am willing to pay the extra $11.00 a week for this SUV.

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  Really big upgrade from my 2008 Navigator - 2015 Lincoln Navigator
  By Troyd75826 - April 8 - 9:57 am

  Great for family with 3 young kids who cant stand idea of minivan. Nice updates from previous generation. This is a far more comfortable vehicle.

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  Big mistake - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By JJ - March 24 - 3:16 pm

  When times were tough, I had to sell my 2002 Lexus LX470. But now I needed another V8 to tow my boat. I thought I would give an American made truck a chance. Bought one with only 87,000 miles at a reasonable price. Oh boy, big mistake. The radio and the temperature control work only occasionally. You have to bang on the dash to get them to work. In the last few months, it spent more time in the shop than on the road. My family got stranded by this truck so many times that Im ready to donate it. Piece of junk. No wonder the resale value is a joke on these cars. Im sticking with Japanese cars now.

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  Love my Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By LMcLallen - March 11 - 10:00 am

  My new lincoln navigator handles wonderfully. I was driving a Chevy 2500 HD truck and it was hard to manuever, not so with the Lincoln. Its roomy, and rides so smooth. My son says he feels safe in it. I love the standard side air bags

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  Thought it was great till warranty over - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ray - March 10 - 7:13 pm

  I actually thought this was one of the best cars I ever had and never even bothered to check reviews until I started experiencing problems at 75K mi. Sorry, but a drive train should not fail at 75K. Everything imagineable went wrong. Found out I had a defective transmission - sorry warranty up, car would not start then all of a sudden would be OK. Couldnt find a problem until the fuel pump went out solid - after the warranty was up. The car always pulled to the right - could never find anything wrong - got worse as the car aged. It seems as though literally everything started to break just as the warranty was up.

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  Outstanding of the Year!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By J-Blazee - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Its one of todays hottest and loving,cars in the 21st century!!!!

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  2004 Gator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Lyle Rieger - March 6 - 10:00 am

  What a great SUV. Traded my 2001 for the 04. Smother ride more comfort and great handling. All the comforts that I demand. I tested and drove the Cadillac and GMC but when it came down to put my money on the line the Gator was my chioce.

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  WOW!!!! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Michael Johnson - February 23 - 11:03 am

  I had never considered a Nav, Im 63" - the Escalade was a huge disappointment - dash and emergency brake cut into my shin and leg! Happened upon the Nav by chance. Was very taken with comfort, pick-up and ease of handling! I was surprised by the comments about lacking power, as the "Baby" moves like a bat out of hell and thinks 90 is an appropriate cruising speed. Among the most comfortable and supportive seats I have ever had in a car. I will agree that the gas mileage was a kick in the head -- but considering its size and weight it could be alot worse. All in all -- an A+ on the car -- which does not extend to the dealership --yuck!

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  Sad - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Sad - February 23 - 1:56 am

  I have owned my navi for 4 years now. We bought it with 30k miles and LOVED the car. The bells and whistles were amazing, it was a top of the line luxury SUV. Once my car hit 70k miles it fell apart!! Break Line ($900), plugs ($1100), transmission ($2000), air suspension twice ($1500), cadillac converters ($3000) and the mirrors no longer fold in and the rear window whipper doesnt work anymore. I am so tired of putting money into this car. If you get one make sure you buy the extended warranty. These cars are know for having big problems. Now Im upside down not only from the all the work I had done but now the dealership doesnt want to give me what my loan pay off is.... SADDENED

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  I like it. - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Monochrome Ultimate - January 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought our 04 ultimate after looking at the competitors such as Cadillac and the Denali. We settled on the Navigator because although it had less power than the others, the overall style, especially the interior was far above the Cadillac or Denali. We had traded in a 00 Expidetion on it and what a differance between the two. The new Lincoln is much more stable and does not wallow as like the Expy did. It would be nice if it had 400hp, but it does cruise very well and I have (dont tell my wife) triple digits on a deserted road quite easily.