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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  The SUV handles well. It is swell - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Folk - December 15 - 7:40 am

  Made well this vehicle gets a lot of attention because there are not many on the road It is quiet, and handles well in the rain

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  Past the Honeymoon - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By slchan - December 14 - 2:00 am

  The Navigator was our choice given our criteria of a few specifics such as a "real" third row seat, luxury appointments, and car-like ride. Lincoln did well with the overall exterior/interior design. Quality, on the other hand, is a whole different story. In this area, Lincoln can learn a few things from Toyota. At the end of the day, I like the Navigator. But my next purchase will most likely be a foreign car (read: Toyota).

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  Sweet Ride - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By rplock - November 25 - 10:16 am

  Beautiful vehicle. Very roomy, quiet and polished. Headlights are great. Power is wonderful. Rain sensing wipers are a nice touch. Power fold mirrors are great. Worth the $$s.

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  Better than an Expedition - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By JRBTN - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 99 expedition Eddie Bauer for this vehicle. The cost of this vehicle is about 15k more than the expedtion. Which begs the question - is it worth it? Well if the money is not an object it probably is. The ride quality, horsepower, and build quality is simply better. I definitely like this vehicle more and unlike the expedition am not thinking about getting rid of the vehicle after 2 years.

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  I am very happy - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By beachgoer - November 10 - 4:13 pm

  I like the way the car rides on the open freeway. It rides smoothly and provides enough power when I need it.

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  What a Deal - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Geo A - November 7 - 2:03 pm

  My deal was zero percent financing, 9 grand off the sticker and its off the lot. Its turn radius is the best, the 18 inch tires eat bumps, and with all gadgets included it beats the Escalade. Mileage stinks: it averages 13 mpg

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  Improvement needed - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Joe - October 31 - 1:10 pm

  My second. 1998 was a quiet, reliable vehicle with over 115,000 miles. 2006 has only 6,000 miles is very noisy up to 60 mph, leaks oil and has a navigation system that works sometimes. Quality has gone downhill. I have been to the dealer 3 times to repair the oil leak. What a disappointment from my previous Navigator.

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  fall in love - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By 2ND NAVIGATOR - October 31 - 10:00 am

  beautiful automobile. turned in a 98 Nav. No comparison. The new one drives like a car, not a truck. Feels solid and powerful

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  Lovin It - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rich - October 30 - 5:06 pm

  Have enjoyed owning this SUV, even though gas prices sometimes make it hurt. Its always performed superbly and reliably.

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  perfect - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By nikita - October 27 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car for anyone