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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  Tall - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Mike3 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Much better lines then past models. Many nice "luxury" features inside.

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  Comfortable and Roomy. - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By azt1 - June 17 - 1:27 pm

  Ive had my Navigator for a few months now. I was leasing a 2008 GMC Yukon Denali before I decided to buy. I originally bought a 2007 Cadillac Escalade but took it back because it was too much like the Denali. The Escalade does handle better and has more power than the Nav but I do like the Navs interior a bit better. Love the 3rd row seat and the power fold feature. Denali and Escalade 3rd row was terrible. Also like that the Nav can switch from 2W to 4W drive. Denali and Escalade was AWD. Nav takes Regular Fuel while Denali and Escalade took Premium Fuel. Overall I am satisfied with the Nav though there is room to improve on it to better compete with other luxury brands.

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  Lovin it - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ron - June 12 - 10:10 am

  Anyone who needs the room or convenience of such a large vehicle will not lament about the fuel consumption. This vehicle satisfies all your wish list and even saves a few surprises for ya just when you thought you knew all the luxury items it possesses. I owned the 2000 Expedition (eddie bauer) and this Navi is 3 times the truck. Hard to believe I loved the Expedition too until I found out how much better things could be.

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  Really enjoy it! - 2011 Lincoln Navigator
  By phillip_g - June 3 - 12:30 pm

  This is not a sports car nor is it a hybrid-if that is what you are wanting this is NOT the vehicle for you. It is a luxury, truck-based SUV...Its BIG...very comfortable, hauls a lot of your closest friends and family and 9000 pounds if you need it to. Not as hard to park as Edmunds would lead you to believe, actually has a great turning radius. With the Front and Rear parking sensors and back up cam you should have no issue with parking unless your trying to land in a "compact only" space. We had a 2006 Model and had no major issues with it other than normal wear-Very happy with the choice we made to purchase this one-Lincoln Certified Program is excellent.

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  2003 Navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Stacey F. - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Very powerful, DVD Entertainment System is very nice, everything is automated, bright headlights reduce chances of getting hit by large animals because of the brightness level.

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  THE GATOR - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Lynn - May 19 - 10:00 am

  WE LOVE OUR NAVIGATOR- THE LOOK, THE ROOM & THE DRIVE. IT IS THE ULTIMATE AUTOMOBILE TO TRAVEL IN. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IN A HEARTBEAT. THE ONLY DOWNFALL IS THE MAINTENANCE COST - TIRES, LOW GAS MILEAGE & ANY MECHANICAL WORK.

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  THE GATOR - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By LYNN - May 19 - 10:00 am

  WE LOVE OUR NAVIGATOR- THE LOOK, THE ROOM & THE DRIVE. IT IS THE ULTIMATE AUTOMOBILE TO TRAVEL IN. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IN A HEARTBEAT. THE ONLY DOWNFALL IS THE MAINTENANCE COST - TIRES, LOW GAS MILEAGE & ANY MECHANICAL WORK.

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  Linclon is terribole - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Stupid Linclon! - May 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is terribole. My old Toyota Highlander got an avrage of 22 miles to a gallon and this junk gets 14 miles to a gallon. This car doent drive it flys. Its too big and doesnt fit in my garadge which could fit a Toyota Higlander or even a Ford Explorer in. This car is reliable at least.

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  Best in class - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By nvbanker - May 8 - 1:56 pm

  This is my second Navigator. I owned a 99 and drove it to 65,000 miles with only one repair. The 03 was the first year out of the totally new design. It has had some "new model" issues, but all of them minor, and never stranding me. Mostly glitches in the features of the truck. The interior is drop-dead gorgeous, from the steering wheel, to the plasma display dash, reminiscent of the 61 Continental. Its roomy, comfortable, and the 3rd seat folds totally flat into the floor, with a power motor. The seating is extraordinary. I truly feel this is the best design on the market, and the best value for the money. The engine is great, but the mileage is poor, as you would expect.

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  New and Improved - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By DEThier777 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This 2003 Navigator is much improved over the 2000 model I traded in. Although the exterior of the new model is a little bland by comparison, the interior design and improved drivability more than make up for that. This vehicle is also much better over all than the Cadillac Escalade which I test drove numerous times before deciding to opt for another Navigator. The reliability of my 2000 model was outstanding and I expect the same for the 2003.