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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  king of the road - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By jim mullenix - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Class act for a redesigned vehicle. the interior design and control functions are at a fingers reach. As a realtor, this suv fulfills all my needs.

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  I wanted to like it - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Bill Glass - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I turned in my 2001 for the 2004. I want my 2001 back. Ride is far superior to 2001, brakes are far superior to 2001 and stability is much improved, but. ......... there is too much wind noise, and the new transmission has very weird shift points, and you find yourself always up at 2200/2600 rpm until it finally upsifts. The navigation system is not what I expected. Plus you cannot alter your route or preferences once you pass 9 mph.The funny thing is that the two cup holders up front will not hold the travel mugs Lincoln give you, the handles collide. The new sound system is not as good as the 2001 where you could adjust acoustics

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  Some problems but I still LOVE this car! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Drew - June 12 - 5:16 am

  We bought this car because my dad totaled our 2001 Lincoln and we all survived after a few rolls off a ditch. The safety of these cars is top notch! Because of this, we decided to buy another navi. I freaking love this car! It looks so stylish and is very very comfortable to ride in. The turning radius is great because the front wheels actually tilt slightly when you turn the wheel so you can easily turn around on a small road. The power is excellent with its 5.4L V8 engine...what a monster! We have had a few problems with the nav though, some power seat motors have broken (covered by warranty) The rear a/c unit clicks. And worst of all the gps/radio has crapped out. But I still love my nav

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  Love my Navigator - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By W. Melgin - May 27 - 12:03 am

  I was going to buy an Infiniti QX56 but it was too tall for our garage. I love this Lincoln in all respects. It has almost everything I need and the comfort and drivability is unmatched.

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  Excellent Ride - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By 08navi - May 21 - 6:03 am

  This is our second Navigator(2004) and the best one overall that we have had. The monotone option is a must if you find the extensive chrome too much. The leather is much nicer than our 04 was and the 08 is a lot quieter. Interior quality is significantly better than the Escalade.

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  Luxurious Behemoth - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Peter Duncan - May 20 - 10:00 am

  My previous vehicle was a plain pick- up truck. No a/c or any other amenities, except for am/fm stereo. The change has been quite the shock. Leather is not vinyl, amenities galore, chrome luggage racks. Driving it has been a true pleasure for me. It is a joy to load the family in for a drive.

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  JUST TOO GOOD PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By yababyya - May 20 - 10:00 am

  this is the best vehicle in the world. when ever i am driving in it people always stair at my NAVIGATOR. the interior is so beutiful i feel like the richest perso in the world. all the new featurs like the pwoer lift gate, power third folding seats,power running boards and the power side mirrors. the features are all just overwellming.

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  Love The Nav! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Don Smith - May 18 - 4:26 am

  Great SUV! Retired and travel back and forth to Arizona pulling a 12 cargo trailer. Has plenty of power and not all that bad of mileage considering the trailer. Get 10 MPG pulling the trailer and between 14 to 16 empty. Usually 14 around town. Only thing I would change is to have more storage inside. Console storage is too small as well as door pockets.

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  Superb SUV! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By AV8JETS - May 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has more than exceeded our expectations. Looks like a sporty SUV, drives like a classic european sedan, and drips with versatility. So far the build quality has proven itself flawless.

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  nice nagivator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By mp5niper - May 9 - 2:00 am

  this is a good car and has all the luxuries and power anyone needs