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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  Navigator great value except! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By loren huckstadt - August 19 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 Lincoln Navigator has been a total blast to drive even considering I have owned Ford Explorers and Expeditions and was not ready for the refined driving experience so far. As with everything there is a down side. The first 8400 miles I have replaced a seat cover for discoloration and an alternator. The dealer has been good about handling my complaints but not really forth coming on what has caused the defects. To tell you the truth I think a factory hotline for consumer reports and repairs would go a long way in improving the whole Lincoln experience!

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  OHH YEAH WHAT A LOOK - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By CHARLES - August 6 - 10:00 am

  IT IS A GREAT EYECATCHING HEADSPINNING VEHICLE. AMAZING STRONG BUILD, IT IS BASICALLY LIKE A BOAT. CAR IS BUILT LIKE A CHAMPION. BEAUTIFUL EXTERIOR WITH AN INTERIOR THAT NO OTHER CAR CAN MATCH.

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  My Navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By WJB-DO - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Simply awesome design, inside it is an art studio on wheels. Outside it is rolling testosterone. Ok enough, this vehicle is stunning, rugged, prestigious and simply enjoyably exciting. And shouldnt your car be? People who say it needs more power are just comparing numbers (345hp vs. 300hp). Drive this and feel the torque. Feel the balance of the steering and suspension that somehow connects 3 tons to the pavement like a sports car. Im sorry, escalade doesnt do that. I couldnt be happier with mine.

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  Great design & value - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Richard Hill - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Okay were do you start? The nature of the beast is she is a big SUV with 5.4. Don,t expect good MPH or blood rushing performance & because of the price you get what you pay for in terms of finish. However, she is reliable,well designed,has a massive carrying bay & one of the best looking 4 x 4 (excluding new Range Rover)on the road. She is very comfortable on long boring trips with all the nice bits in the cabin. Braking is very good & cornering is forgiving on that unexpected bend. I just would like Lincoln to spend a little more money on the general finish internally like our Japanese cousins do.I would not hesitate to replace her with the same model or recommend this vehicle to a friend

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  A Happy Navigator - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By Muskie Man - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The Navigator has met my expectations as a reliable luxury SUV. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In todays market there are many luxury SUV options that did not exist in 1999. The vehicle has performed reliably in the four seasons of northern Wisconsin. Currently with 72,000 miles the vehicle seems just barely broken in. I expect to keep it for many years to come.

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  Muscle and Style - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By ChowChowLimo - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Beyond all of my expectations What a joy, finally and SUV with muscle and style, it leaves all of the rest of the so called luxury SUVs in the dust

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  I love my stinken lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By tgbowl - July 30 - 10:00 am

  All in all the navigator is the best SUV i could find, i looked at the Hummer H2 and the escalade in great depth and for the money the navigator came up on top. I honestly couldnt be much happier

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  DAMN GREAT SUV NO BETTER THAN THIS - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By theman9479 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS GREAT NEVER HAVE OWNED SUCH A GREAT SUV, I WILL ALWAYS OWN AT LEAST 1 NAVIGATOR IN MY LIFE !!!

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  I love this car - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Anne - July 23 - 5:03 pm

  this is my second navigator and I love it. I do miss the arm rests that my older navigator had.

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  Luxury on Wheels - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Peavley - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I had considered purchsing a 2002 Cadillac SUV, but after purchasing the Navigator from a Cadillac dealership I realized that the cost of a vehicle does not represent the comfort level received. Scott Haberman from LUND Cadillac made my buying experience memorable. The car rides like a luxury car. In my opinion it is better that the Cadillac.