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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  Great all around SUV - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Jackson Brown - June 2 - 9:43 pm

  Size makes it very versatile, performs more like a luxury car than a truck. Great in snow, yet quite on highway. STONG pulling power.

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  navigating navigator - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By ed stanley - May 26 - 6:53 pm

  This vehicle comes equipped with the best factory seats I have ever experienced. Although the fuel economy is nothing to shout about and considering the weight and being a v8 truck advertised as an suv I am not disappointed in the mileage. Good sound system. Great ac and the quiet ride is a tremendous asset.

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  1999 Navigator - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By L.V. Cooper - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 Navigators and I must say I have never driven a better Vehicle. I love the way it steers you can park it on a dime and for a large SUV I think that says it all. I just love it.

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  Love my navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Pthinkrs - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car- really roomy- Its a gas hog though!! hang on to your pocketbook

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  The ultimate big ride! - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Thespecialist - May 12 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the most comfortable, family friendly SUVs around. This is the 4th Lincoln I have owned, so I may be biased! Awesome styling, a car- like ride, tons of power, and head- turning looks are all standard. I dont care too much about the gas mileage - hey, how many people buy big SUVs for the economy? You buy them because they do what you want them to do, and do it well. So if I get 14 MPG versus 20 for a generic mini-van, who cares? I will gladly pay the extra price. The prices for used Expeditions and Navigators are very reasonable, and they really are great values.

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  Love my Navigator - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Kendall Harris - May 5 - 9:56 pm

  All I can say is that Ive Never had any problems at all Only thing Ive had Replaced were the Brakes which at the time I thought were to early but after talking to people they said 48000 miles wasnt that bad for a car this size.

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  Buy One - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Chuck C. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I tried them all.cmfort,ease in driving and good looks.Buy U.S.buy lincoln.The cost of maint.compared to BMW&MBZ your $$ahead with Lincoln

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  Luv It - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By Laura - April 18 - 2:26 am

  Love it! This is the most comfortable car I have ever been in. When my friends and I go out their Hondas and BMWs stay home and we take my Navigator becuase its the most comfortable of all of our cars. I love that it never goes back to the dealership. My old Mercedes G500 spent more time at the dealer than with me so this is a wonderful improvement. My husband tells me that my Navigator is based on the same vehicle as his Expedition and he puts over 150,000 miles on them with no problems. I look forward to keeping my car for a long time.

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  2001 Gator - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By leg-lkg - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding quality and reliability. A joy to drive and the best towing vehicle ever. I cant wait to get my next one.

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  Lincoln Navigator Rocks - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By t time - April 13 - 10:00 am

  The new Lincoln Navigator is not only beautiful, particularly on the inside, but it is unbelievably comfortable and powerful. Plus, they thought of everything. The navigation system is easy to use, easy to read, and hard to believe how accurate it is. The power folding split rear seat makes it so versatile. Kids love the power retracting side steps. The new oversized side mirrors make terrific visualization. The heated and cooled front seats are ultra-comfortable. Plus, the interior is so cool looking!