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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  Lincoln Navigator - Essence of Luxury! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rahul Kapoor - April 9 - 4:13 pm

  I have owned the Ultimate Navi almost three years now and it is unbelievably reliable. I do not want to get rid of it as of now because it sticks out much more boldly than the newer SUVs at this time. SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade, Hummer H2, Range Rover, Infiniti QX56, Mercedes Benz GL Class, etc... This vehicle is at the top of the luxury chain in my opinion rated bias or not. I have test driven other SUVs and nothing compares to this. It gets me and my family around comfortably and it feels like home even on the road considering the ultimate entertainment system. I have had no problems when driving it and the only thing I see when I drive is heads turning. Overall, this SUVs amazing

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  2003 Lincoln Navi - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Alexander - March 23 - 3:50 am

  My 2003 Navigator is awesome- Bought with 28000 miles - Problems started at 65K, head Gasket a well known problem for the Cylinder head on these vehicles. In addition, Beware of the radiator assembly. The Transmission cooling system runs thru the radiator and when it comes apart, all oil from transmission cooling system will contaminate your antifreeze. Side mirrors crazy, and windows do not close at highway speeds. The car is awesome though, turns heads even after 6 years.

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  SILVER BABE - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JEHUDE - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is just great. Had it for a year and it still catches the eye Who said one can`t get classy vehicles in America?

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  Great travel vehicle - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By kev - March 10 - 1:03 pm

  I bought this 6 months ago. it took a few weeks to get the hang of driving it. now I love it. Plenty of power. Really comfortable. Tons of room for a 220 lb 6 footer like me. just drove 3400 miles in two weeks on vacation with tons of gear and bicycles on the back. made the trip very easy. 17.9 MPG on trip. about 15 commuting to work and around town. many really nice features

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  navi 2000 - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By mike zavala - February 16 - 9:13 pm

  I think this has always been the best biggest suv. Lincoln has done a great job, this suv turns heads. This suv has a smooth ride.

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  2003 Lincoln Navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By cldawson - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is still new but has been a pleasure so far. Gas mileage is poor, it has not even met the window sticker estimates yet. Ride is very comfortable, but road noise intrudes into passenger compartment.

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  Just bought a used 2004 Lincoln Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By krystilized - January 31 - 9:44 pm

  I just bought a 2004 Navi with 133,000 miles on it. Normally I would NEVER buy such a high mileage car, but it is absolutely beautiful. Much nicer than my first one. They wanted 8600, I offered 7500 and we settled at 8000. The CD changer doesnt work-but theyre fixing it, the rear AC making some strange knocking sound (which seems to be very common based on the reviews)-theyre also fixing that, the ashtray door on front panel wont close, the heat and air on driver seat works only sometimes, GAS GUZZLER. Havent had it long enough to see if any mechanical issues will develop. At those miles Im sure they will, and I will rewrite my review when they do.

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  Edmunds does Underrate it - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Jon Levy - January 23 - 5:26 am

  After fixing a moonroof rain leak, the car is perfect. Checked out the Escalade, but did not like its warmed- over 1980s interior and dash. The Lexus 470 was a major disappointment... like a modest car trying to feel expensive and failing. The Gator interior is superb..... very luxurious... and the new features e.g. power liftgate, power running boards (and large, unlike Escalade and 470s much to small running boards), etc, make it by far the best choice. This is my second Gator.... the 1st being a 2002. This new one is even better. Oh, the LX470 has NO sensors on rear bumper for back up. Only a camera which is not nearly as helpful as the warning sounds.

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  lincoln navigator - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By dpilcher - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my navigator. The only way I would change it is for a new one!

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  Enjoyable Vehicle - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By bigk67 - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This is actually my wife’s vehicle, but I have to pleasure of driving it on the weekends. The power is decent, and the ride is excellent. We rarely use the third row seat, as the dog has to ride with us everywhere. The vehicle is a little wide for most parking spaces, so it is prone to many door dings. The plastic side panels have helped on many occasions, but you cant stop all of the idiots.