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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  Poor plastic - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By natzhawk - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I had to give the interior a poor rating. Due to the fact that the speakers plastic is very poor. Just wiping the plastic can mess up the plastics color. The driving of the vehicle is smooth and the comfort level is good.

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  3rd Navi - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By 325ic745iNavi - February 25 - 2:03 pm

  07 Navi may have some styling flaws (gauge array) but otherwise gets a bad rap. Far superior to Escalade in interior and build quality (real wood, tight fitments, etc.,). I want a quiet, safe (side airbags, not avail on Escalade) ride, not a hopped up plastic pimped out ride thats so loud I cant hear myself think.

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  Great Car!! - 2012 Lincoln Navigator
  By kllllllll - February 22 - 3:19 pm

  I truly enjoy this car. It is beautiful,and extremely updated in technology.I would recommend it to anyone!!

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  luxury and solid suv of all time - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By avi79 - February 14 - 2:43 pm

  happy fun to drive. drives really sooth on roads. it feels like youre driving in a airplane because it feels like youre touching the ground

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  SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY EXPEDITION - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By WINGKING - January 24 - 10:00 am

  HAVING OWNED 2 EXPEDITIONS (2000 & 2002 I WANTED TO DRIVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHAT A MISTAKE. THE CROME ON THE INTERIOR OF THE NAV. IS PUT IN PLACES WHERE THE SUN IS ALWAYS HITTING AND SHINING IN YOURS EYE. NOT GOOD FOR SAFETY. HAVING TO USE PREIMUN GAS IS ALSO A BIG DRAW BACK. THE DRINK HOLDERS ARE NOT AS USEFUL AS THOSE ON THE EXP. I DRIVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES A YEAR AND GET A NEW CAR EVERY 2 YEARS I ALWAYS BUY THE EXTENDED WARRENTY AND ALWASYS SELL MY CAR TO ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES, PROBABLY WONT THIS TIME. ITS A NICE VEHICLE BUT NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY.

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  SAFEST SUV ON THE ROAD - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JOLENE JENKINS - January 20 - 10:00 am

  HI, I AM A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR OWNER. I HAVE OWNED 3 IN THE LAST 6 YEARS. PUTTING OVER 200,000 ON THE FIRST TWO, AND JUST PURCHASED MY THIRD. I SWEAR BY THIS TRUCK, I KNOW WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING MY TRUCK IS GONNA START, ITS GONNA BE WARM, COLD WHAT EVER I WANT IT TO BE. I FEEL EXTRA SAFE IN THIS TRUCK. I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGANT WHEN I GOT HIT BY A SIMI. THIS TRUCK IS SO SAFE THAT I DIDNT MOVE OUT OF MY SEAT, I WAS COMPLETELY SAFE, AND SO WAS MY GERMAN SHEPARD THAT WAS IN THE PASSANGER SIDE, THE SIDE THAT GOT HIT. I WILL CONTINUE TOO BY THESE TRUCKS UNTIL THEY STOP MAKING THEM. I AM A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. THANKS LINCOLN

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  Luv To Drive a Big SUV - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Material Guy - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV.. I would buy another. I may trade only because of poor gas mileage..12 regardless of where you are.

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  Love and Hate relationship - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By shleppy - January 11 - 10:00 am

  Love the look. However, have had many problems with it including a time it kicked in 4WD LOW while I was driving without me touching the control. What a jolt...thought someone rear-ended me. The engine was making a humming noise for a time. The speakers went on my "premium stereo". I was also disappointed to learn that the seemingly luxurious interior is no different from that of a Ford Expedition. On the upside, I have two kids and the roominess is very nice...this truck loves the highway. Also love the size...I sleep well knowing my kids are being driven around in this tank.

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  Navigator test drive - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Nicholas Richard - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Recently I had the chance to test drive the 2001 Navigator it is located at R&R Auto Sales in Lake Charles, LA. I fell in love with the exterior as soon as I saw the truck. Then once I opened the doors and took a look at the interior i was amazed. Once on the road, I could barely tell we were moveing as the truck gracefully hugged the road and curves. The Navigator has an outstanding ride for such a large vehicle. It is a great machine to carry the Lincoln name. I am very serious about owning one of these SUVs in the near future. Sincerely, Nicholas Richard

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  navigator that you can shower in :( - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Anthony Bergen - November 29 - 8:13 pm

  My vehicle has been in the shop more than I have driven it. The sun roof drainage system does not work properly and rain water pours out of the headliner ever time it rains very heavy. The dealership is unable to correct the problem and when they attempted to do so they damaged the interior of my vehicle with grease and lack of covering the seats. I have however test driven the aviator and that looks like the way to go. Fuel economy FOR GET IT!!!! not the right time to own a navi..Look elsewhere...