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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  2001 NAV - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By APRIL - September 19 - 12:13 am

  This is a great suv especially if theres kids involved. Love the space and the tv console to keep them quiet or to play the ps2...Ive had no problems as of yet.. April atlanta,ga

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  THE ULTIMATE IS THE ULTIMATE - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By .JAMES N. - September 8 - 10:00 am

  MY DREAM VEHICLE COME TRUE. I PURCHASED THE DOUBLE VISION TV SCREENS AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS SUV IS FUN, FUN, FUN. I FEEL LIKE IM RIDING IN THE LAP OF LUXURY. THIS IS THE HAPPIEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A VEHICLE AND I HAVE OWNED MANY. IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS...I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT. J.T.

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  Awsome!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JosephMcBride - September 2 - 2:00 am

  What a great SUV. I feel like a king driving this thing. Wouldnt trade it for the world!

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  Doing ok so far - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By tennisdoc - August 7 - 2:10 pm

  Had my Navigator 1.5 years now. Was an impulse purchase for my now ex wife. Usually do research but wife loved her friends. Was real scared after purchase when I read the horror reviews. So far, few problems. Seats, what were they thinking? Like parchment, but still holding up. Ive had none of the electrical problems that have plagued reviews. Biggest complaint, dealership serves Lincoln, and Mercury. Service area is like the waiting room for a middle school. Infiniti and Lexus have comfortable waiting areas, and give loaners in a snap. After spending this type of money, service experience is like a Ford.

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  Just gets better - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By nvbanker - August 4 - 9:46 pm

  The 05 has a new engine and transmission that make the truck even better, more responsive, and useful. The 6 speed transmission shifts like butter, and gives the truck some real spunk off the line. I dont think any other truck in this class can touch it.

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  2006 Lincoln Navigator - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Robert - July 27 - 10:43 am

  We tried all the SUVs but this one has them all beat. Air Conditioned seats, smoothest ride, punch from the start, Luxury like I wanted. More of what I wanted than other SUVs had to offer. Worth the extra money I spent. They really listened to the the consumer on this one.

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  1313 - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By mtintori - July 21 - 2:00 am

  nice ride easy to drive

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  my all time favorite vehicle - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By raquel Birch - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the second navigator I have owned and will buy another one

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  navi review - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By davidt - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Smoothest riding SUV on the market, Great seat space for families. Gas mileage better than expected. Downside-terrible quality interior materials for a vehicle this expensive. Leather is paper thin, interior trim parts that look like platinum has a sprayed paint look. We looked at all other SUVs and this one rides great, has alot of space, and good performance but interior is so cheaply made we will probably have to have interior redone in 4-years.

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  Lincoln Navigator - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By Angel R. - June 16 - 1:03 pm

  Rides like a cloud. Smooth ride and handling. Practically no interior noise and wind noise is minimal to none even at highway speeds. Performance is quite good for a vehicle its size. Comfort is excellent. Cup holders and compartments are well placed through out the vehicle and so on. Exterior design is not its strongest point, but overall has an excellent appeal with the 20 wheels and its unique grille design. I would definitely recomend this vehicle and would probably purchase another at some point .