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:

• 

  Lots of potential - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By MVotaw - November 29 - 7:23 am

  I really enjoy my Lincoln. From the front, its a great looking vehicle with lots of power. That said, the back end looks like a cracker box. Interior is very comfortable, but you cant read the dash in sunlight and there is little leg room in the back. The back glass opens by itself and lets rain / debris run into the cargo area. Ive had $5000 worth of warranty done on the truck and the service was fantastic. The interior is very cheap looking and scuffs easily in addition to being a bear to navigate all the buttons. Overall though a very nice vehicle.

• 

  A nice ride - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By shawn - November 7 - 7:03 pm

  I got this car in 2006. Its good on the highway and OK in the city. If you like to take long trips then this is the car for you. Great pick up too. I did a few mods to my Navigator so my horsepower and take off speed are great!

• 

  Good to Excellent - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By George Hollowell - November 2 - 4:10 am

  New 6peed automatic trans is a great feature. Engine power is excellent. I pull an RV it has plenty of torque. Economy is excellent for its size. Handling is superb.

• 

  fordwarrior - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Mike Smith - November 2 - 3:43 am

  I have been a satisfied Ford product owner for 50 years. I have owned a 2004 and a 2005 Navigator and have been very disappointed in their fuel economy and the quality of construction. The 2006 has had transmission problems from the day it was delivered and it took 17 months for the dealer to get the problem corrected. The brake rotors had to be turned at 7,000 miles, replaced at 10,000 miles, turned again at 27,000 mile and replaced at 30,000 miles. This is on a vehicles that has 95% highway mileage on it. The master brake cylinder had to be replaced at 32,000 miles. The 2006 model is much noisier than the 2005 in terms of wind noise and engine/road noise.

• 

  Almost Perfect - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By BigBill - October 16 - 9:50 pm

  Very comfortable and quiet ride. The roomiest cabin ever. Love folding seats and running boards. Excellent navigation system and very good sound system. I own BMW 750i and I have to admit - Navigator is indeed roomy and comfortable. Towing is effortless, but Im really dissappointed with lack or the rear view camera on 2007 model. Fuel economy is not bad at all - 14 city and 20.6 freeway. Ive never managed to achieve this on my Jeep with Hemi engine.

• 

  Excellent SUV - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Charlton03 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  The new Navigator is the best SUV on the market it not only has the best exterior and interior but also has the best ride too

• 

  Luxury SUV that drives like a Luxury Car - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By shadow_tep - September 29 - 10:00 am

  With its remodeled interior and exterior, the new Navigator will be heavily competitive in the Luxury SUV market.

• 

  The best Luxury SUV Ever - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By sir cal - September 24 - 8:16 pm

  This truck is performing at high standards and looks good.I still have the factory chrome wheels.If you keep the maintenance up it will last you for years to come.Some people think that they can just ride for years and not do the maintenance.Then when parts start going bad all at once, they say bad things about the navagator.

• 

  Overall - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Phil Axt - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Add the wood grain dash and you got yourself an SUV with beauty!

• 

  A great & elegant SUV - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By cwmobley - September 22 - 12:06 am

  The ride is super quiet & ultra smooth. The V-8 engine is very responsive and the vehicle is easy to maneuver for a large SUV. At 34,000 miles, there have been absolutely no warranty issues whatsoever. It has all of the features expected of a luxury vehicle & more. This ownership experience is the best Ive had in 50 years when comparing it to Lexus, Infinity, Cadillac, Mercury, Thunderbird, Porche, Corvette & many other Lincoln cars that I have owned. American produced automobiles are now superior VALUES when compared to foreign owned companies. We are now considering a trade for a new Navigator.