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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  Looking to buy my third - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By bernermom5 - June 6 - 11:19 pm

  I ordered my first Nav sight unseen, 1999...first year of production.. My only disappointment was the second row did not fold flat. Loved the color, cashmere. PERFECT color...never looked dirty. Next 1 folded flat, was a 2005. Had to settle for a lighter color, French Silk...FABULOUS Navigation system...the first was great and the second even better. Intuitive. Not enough cupholders upfront, really wonderful ride. We have 128,000 miles on it as we drive back & forth from South Carolina to NY and its always a pleasure. It doesnt get more comfortable. Also love the 6 CD player. New models only have single. Whats up with that??? Now in the midst of negotiating my 3rd. LOVE IT! (obviously):)

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  Needs to Improve - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By ubgoofy2003 - June 2 - 11:43 am

  I have owned Ford products before & this Lincoln has had more things go wrong with it than even a F-150 pickup that I owned previous to this. Too much plastic where strength is needed & the control center(information) is located in such a hidden place, it is almost impossible to read in daylight. The center armrest council is imposible to open, unless you use both hands, & turn your body towards it. It should lift from the side, where it can be done with one hand. For a LUXURY car, the grill is plastic & should not be. I believe a luxury car should be of more quality than this, not just added assesories. The only advantage of this car, over a Isuzu Rodeo, is size. Needs Quality !!!!!

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  Leak on top of Gem module - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Tim L - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 2001 an Elantra for a 2000 Navagator to pull a travel trailer. I can only hope I will have this vehicle in time to pull it. It has been in the shop now 4 times to fix a leaky windshild that allows water to drip onto the G.E.M. module and thus shortout the entire front part of the cars electrical system. Now the air suspension isnt working

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  Best Ride Ive Ever Had - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By garyfahle - May 31 - 5:10 am

  The ride is ultra smooth. The vehicle is totally responsive and surprisingly easy to maneuver. The load leveling feature is remarkable. The comfort is the best Ive had in 40 years of driving. It has more features than I imagined and a CD to show off the vehicle.

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  Exceeded expectations - 2016 Lincoln Navigator
  By John Boyer - May 27 - 4:39 am

  I have owned seven Expeditions and had wonderful experience with all of them. Very capable and reliable. I test drove a 2016 Expedition and then a Lincoln Navigator. Navigator was superior fit, finish, ride and very quiet in comparison. I own a Lexus LS 460 sedan which is top of line Lexus. My Navigator is actually quieter than the Lexus. I was astounded. Other large SUVs such as Tahoe, Escalade, QX 80 did not have the capacity or the ride that I wanted. Also I had read about reliability issues on other vehicles. I have been driving large SUVs for 19 years and found this car is just easy to drive. So, I bought the 2wd Navigator Reserve. I could not be happier. No regrets.

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  Just get in & drive - 2016 Lincoln Navigator
  By William Tyndal - May 24 - 7:37 pm

  Ive owned 6 new Navigators since 1997 and they all have been great... Only one repair issue in all six. The 2016 has the new turbo 6 cylinder which is plenty powerful! All in all great value for a big SUV.

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  newer may not be better - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By cape codder - May 1 - 6:13 am

  My 99 Navigator went 45K mile with only a seat heater repair. This (04) baby now with 40K has issues more often. Head light repairs (3) which is not just a bulb. My local dealer has to order parts which means multiple trips for something that used to be a 5 minute job. Air compressor for front suspension replaced. Both front door glass windows are scratched vertically for which the dealer says I dont keep the car clean. The car went back for bad spark plugs when new. Has a whining drivetrain bearing noise dealer says is the tires. Tomorrow shes going in for ABS and Advanced Trac warning lights. Finding power window switches while driving is a challenge. When its off warranty its gone

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  Pimpin in my Navi - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By TACruiser - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned the older model before switching to the new model, and must I say there is a huge imporvment!! Its very quiet and luxurious. The power could be boosted up a bit, But the fuel economy is bad enough. The front chrome rims get dirty real fast, and are tough to clean, especially over Winter!! But the rest of the car is extremely positive!!! Its deffanitly worth it!!! All in all I am very pleased with my Navi!!!

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  FishingJoe - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Hubert Van Goeye - April 20 - 7:46 am

  The main feature I appreciate is the advancetrac. Ive made several trips from WA to MT in the winter and it has kept me on the road upright when other 4WD vehicles were in the ditches. It definitely goes in ice & snow. The ABS system is great and Ive never had a problem with control when I had to swerve to miss other drivers or animals that wanted in my lane.

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  Better drive then the Escalade!!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Trust1421 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This a such a smooth ride. I test drove the 2003 Escalade and the ride and comfort doesnt compare to the 03 Navigator! Best SUV out for the $50,000 price range!