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 Best Ride Ever! - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Beth752 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I wanted to own a Navigator from its conception, and in March 2001 I bought one. After owning one for nearly 2 years, I know Ill keep buying them as long as they build them. It was everything I wanted in an SUV and more. The ride is great, and it handles the road with excellent command. I hope to purchase my 2nd new Navie in March 2003.

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  Luxury Ride - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Tom Smith - October 28 - 10:53 am

  I bought this vehicle with 55K and have experience only a few minor problems. Air suspension motor went out and lower A Frame had to be replaced. This has been a very dependable and reliable vehicle plus the ride is exceptional. Would definitely own another one.

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  Nice - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By clearview - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Love it

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  What a SUV, What a SUV - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By lincoln lover - October 16 - 2:10 am

  This is an awesome suv... think only thing i didnt like was the interior color! It rides smooth, fast and Fuel efficent i love the Lincoln!

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  THE BEST SUV - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By SAMPSON ASHIN - October 1 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS A NICE ONE,AND IT DRIVES SO GOOD.AND I BELIVE THAT IT IS THE BEST JEEP OUT THERE.

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  I love this Car! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Sharon Fredericks - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I really do love this car. It makes me feel good just driving it.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By TheGoodLife - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Got my 03 in Sept & have loved driving it. Quiet & smooth ride. The handling characteristics give you confidence in any situation. Very agile despite size. The fuel economy is poor. Supposed to use 91+ fuel so that adds to the expense at the pump.Love the pwr running boards.IMO they help getting in & out especially for older passengers. We take father-in-law to dr appts & he absolutely loves & prefers the ride in that car over his.(Works for Caddy dealer) We could have purchased an Escalade $50 below dealer cost, but I was so impressed with the Navi & all the features that it had that the Caddy did not that I paid the higher price for the Navi

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  Best of the Lux SUVs - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By NavRick - September 9 - 10:30 am

  I tested them all, and being a minivan guy, all the new SUVs had shortcomings. The Navigator had the most pluses with the least minuses. I wanted smooth, quiet, luxury, and functionality, and I believe I got it! This is my first SUV, my biggest hurdle was getting over the fact that while these vehicles are much larger than my Sienna minivan, they all have much less interior space, storage and functionality. That said, the family wanted to change and we are very happy with the purchase.

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  2003 Navigator 2WD - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Craig R - August 18 - 1:06 am

  I love this car. The only real criticism Ive got is the mileage, particularly in light of recent fuel price increases. I researched the vehicle before I bought and the lack of power was something I read about. My vehicle moves along just fine. The interior is spacious and the seats the most comfortable of any vehicle Ive ever owned. My lease is up next spring. I will watch the fuel prices, thats the only thing that will dissuade me from getting another Navigator.

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  Good made Better - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By jtr02a - August 14 - 10:00 am

  My family has loved owning this Navigator, it is wonderful for Boy Scout campouts and long distance travel. We purchased this vehicle because our family is growing (65", 64", 511", & 510") and needed more leg and headroom and this was perfect. Aside from the obviously bad mpg (on all SUVs) and slightly underpowered acceleration (for a Lincoln, great compared to "normal" SUVs), this is a great, stable SUV. We own several Lincolns and will definitely continue to buy. The newer models seem to have corrected most of the imperfections found on the 98.