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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  2004 nav problems - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By ricksan - June 21 - 5:59 am

  hi. just wanted to let everyone know the problems we have had with our 2004 nav we purchased in 2006 with 35k miles. 1. sunroof drains clogged and rain water leaked to fuse block...$1000.00 replace fuse block. 2. sunroof would not shut. track and motor needed replacing...$1700.00 3. rear ac fan making flapping sound 4. driver door lock/unlock button does not work 5. outside mirror switch to fold mirrors in stopped working 6. tire pressure sensor went bad $120.00 7. ac only blows cold for a while then goes hot on hot days. 8. power running boards are possessed! only work when they want to. END RESULT..I STILL ENJOY OWNING THE NAV BUT IT IS A MONEY PIT!!

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  2004 nav problems - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By ricksan - June 21 - 5:50 am

  hi. just wanted to let everyone know the problems we have had with our 2004 nav we purchased in 2006 with 35k miles. 1. sunroof drains clogged and rain water leaked to fuse block...$1000.00 replace fuse block. 2. sunroof would not shut. track and motor needed replacing...$1700.00 3. rear ac fan making flapping sound 4. driver door lock/unlock button does not work 5. outside mirror switch to fold mirrors in stopped working 6. tire pressure sensor went bad $120.00 7. ac only blows cold for a while then goes hot on hot days. 8. power running boards are possessed! only work when they want to. END RESULT..I STILL ENJOY OWNING THE NAV BUT IT IS A MONEY PIT!!

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  More than a Luxury SUV - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Jimmy - June 20 - 11:36 pm

  !For anyone looking for a powerful towing vehicle with the ability to have the luxury to go along with it, this is it. I pull a 30ft. camper with a weight of 7500lbs and let me tell you that this SUV is a beast. My first trip was about 12 hours one way and the return trip I was caught in a bad storm and the Navigator handled like I champ. I love bragging about what a awesome vehicle I own. The family and I have been to 3 camping sites and people cant believe how I came to choosing the Navagator. Typically the norm was large pick ups, Chevy Suburbans and the Tahoe. I can say I pushed this SUV to the max, including towing uphill in the mountains. This is not a Ford Expedition by any means!

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  can build it better than a rover - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By luis - June 19 - 12:53 am

  this suv is very nice, neat design but it lacks power and the inside rattles at times. security system for this vehicle should be improved also key should have a more distinctive look, rear middle seat should be as practicle as other seats, finally its time to make as big in room as the escalade ext. engine knocks at times when starting it shouldnt at any time just like the competitors dont

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  What a great Luxury Utility Vehicle - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By smith barney assoc. - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The smoothest most comfortable suv on the road. I traded my 2002 Cadillac for the 2004 Navigator and what a difference! A more solid, well put together vehicle. Its quite and a pleasure to drive. The navigation system is all touch screen and voice controlled with one dvd covers the entire USA. The power fold seats and power fold side mirrors are great, as well as the automatic liftgate.

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  navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By USERMRBIGl - June 12 - 2:00 am

  IT IS ONE OF THE BEST LARGE SUVS OUT ON THE MARKET ALOT OF LUXURY FEATURES COMPARED TO THE ESCALADE NOT SO BAD TO INSURE ALLSTATE HAS THE BEST RATE GAS IT IS AGUZZLER BUT IT IS A TRADE OFF WITH ALL THE SNOW THIS WINTER IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY

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  why the navigator is the best - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By mrtl321 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  It is the the most fun vehicle that i have had so far. it hast eonough power to get you where you want to go.

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  Rate 2004 Lincoln Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ural Decker - May 28 - 2:40 pm

  I have driven Lincolns since 1986 with this being the best I have ever had. It will do everything that is expected from a vehicle of this type.

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  Wasnt too bad until the 5.4 "death rattle" - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By brian selai - May 19 - 12:14 pm

  Bought the vehicle certified used in 2012. Wife happy with vehicle until last month. 140,000 miles and engine dropped a cylinder. Apparently the 5.4 triton has a bad reputation for this. After several hundred dollars in palliative attempts, it was recommended by a Ford garage to just replace the engine due to its reputation. Only other issues were the running boards needed serviced at about 80,000 miles, the air blender occasionally makes the rattle related to plastic teeth failure. Headlamps are pricey to replace also plan on several hundred when they fail. Another issue should be the limited illumination of the high beams. Really no better than regular headlamps. Not convinced we would buy another.

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  Another step downward - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By longtime Nav owner - May 17 - 8:16 pm

  As a previous 2004 Nav owner and a 2001 Nav owner and a 1998 Nav owner, I certainly have a solid perspective on trends in the Navs design. I am sorely disappointed by changes to the 2007 model. All of the reviews talk about the spaciousness of the interior. They have definitely downsized the interior, lowering the height of the headliner. All of the exterior chrome certainly went past tacky. I was also positively spoiled by the huge sideview mirrors in the 2004 model. Im sorry to see those downsized too. Probably the only positive changes are the redesigned power running boards.