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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  Still the Best - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rick T - November 17 - 12:50 am

  This is my 2nd Nav, and 5th Lincoln. As a BIG man (nearly 400 lbs.) this vehicle offers me unsurpassed roominess and comfort. I was thrilled with my 04 Nav, but this one rides much smoother and has some nice refinements. Although I had gotten used to the window switches being on the center console theyre in a more traditional place on the doors this year. Also the DVD player console in the back does not obstruct the rear view mirror as in the past. The only thing that Id like to see that it hasnt got is a cargo net behind the third row seating. btw, 20 minutes after I drove out in my new Nav my dealer had my 04 sold! It was still a great vehicle and served me very well.

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  awesome vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By trev6971 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  comfortable, plenty of power, gas mileage could be better 16mpg

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  my lemon navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By mike drouillard - October 24 - 9:26 am

  lincoln gives free oil changes or service lucky for me because just about every service call something else needed repair, after driving 90000km I finally returned my vehicle. the vibration in the front end at 115km was never repaired even after the dealership had me replace my tires. yes after 90000 km front still vibrates. running board motors, frequently replaced. accelerator extremely sensitive, just keeps jerking your neck off dealer could not repair because of no adjustments. and the problems continued

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  satisfied - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By DStorm - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This Navigator is an extremely reliable vehicle with outstanding performance in terms of speed and passenger comfort. However it also has an enormous thirst for premium fuel and is a little too much like the Ford F-150 on the inside.

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  Awe inspiring - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By oldnavowner - September 28 - 2:00 am

  probably the nicest interior of any vehicle on the road, definitely the nicest of any suv, period. its just not a question up for discussion. just got it 3 days ago. used to own a 2000. this is so much nicer than the old one, though the old one was nice too. will see how dependable this one is.

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  No Competition! - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By smartlis - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 1999 Navigator for over two years now and have had absolutely no problems with it. My kids enjoy the comfort of the seats and room for all their friends when we go out. Great vehicle for people who carpool and want comfort and safety.

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  1999 Navigator - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By debruyne - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with every aspect and performance of this vehicle except for the mileage. It has met my very high expectations.

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  What an awesome suv! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By IMQUIK - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love from the start. Drove the Denali,Tahoe,not even close.Drives like a dream.Smooth ride.We went with the Ultimate Pkg.

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  Nicest of the full size suvs - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By BOB JONES - September 7 - 12:23 am

  Nothing compares to the ride of a Lincoln. I drove the competition and they were not as comfortable or as luxurious as the Navigator.

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  Great Navi - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By JVAC - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck! We bought it when our first child was on the way because we thought it would be a good, safe family car. The oil light came on yesterday while driving on the highway, then the engine started making an awful sound as I was exiting, so I had it towed to the dealer. They say the engine is dead at 92,000 miles. This is a sad day for me deciding whether to buy a new engine or a new Navi.