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:
Showing 441 through 450 of 489.00-
besides all the glamour..DONT BUY..... - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
By shaw shiraz - December 14 - 6:33 pmOh lordy where to begin. Ignition coil problems. Electrical problems. Lincoln dealership cant even find out why the truck would suddenly cut off at traffic lights. Cant find why the car suddenly has a jark when accelerate. Power Windows very costly to fix (450). Have a lot of spare change cause you gonna spend a lot of money fixing this thing. Already have spent over 4000 and no end in sight. And ih yeah running board has a mind of its own, and did I forget suspension problems
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lincoln review - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
By D-Money - December 2 - 2:40 pmThis Lincoln is great. it is great to drive. the ride is smooth and confortable.
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Nothing better SUV wise - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
By ecrecelius - November 27 - 2:00 amWOW..this suv is the best. The gas mileage isnt the best but the car makes up for it considering all you get. Its no wonder now why i see so many celebs tooling around in them. I drove mine cross country to L.A with 2 big dogs and 2 kids, we wouldnt have made it without the luxury and performance of the navigator. It felt like flying first class.
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Ford POS in drag...... - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
By blacklumix - November 19 - 8:15 pm6 out of 8 ignition coils went bad $250 per cyl; serpentine tensioner went bad $310; muffler sound deadener shot; trailer hitch rusting; rear hatch paint bubbled at 50,001 miles; rear heating/ac fan makes "popping" sound; air suspension not sounding right... CD player not working right.... and now, at 77,024 miles transmission just went bad - est repair $2000. For a vehicle we mainly drive to and from work and Costco, this so called top of the line gas guzzling beast should not have these kinds of problems at 77,000 miles. Ford should be ashamed. Instead, there is nothing they can do because its "out of warranty" and theyre "sorry you feel" like you were ripped off. No they are not sorry!
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2006 Lincoln Navigator - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
By Bill - November 13 - 1:03 pmGood power, wonderful ride quality, great handling, easy to park even in tight lots. For its size the highway MPG is very good (about 20+). Great family car for trips especially with the spacious third row seating. Luxury and quality throughout. Excellent towing capacity.
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Perfect but Pricey - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
By lepruchan - November 9 - 9:40 amFantastic car, very safe feeling driving because its so big and weighs so much. All the bells and whistles. Captains chairs in second row provide absolute comfort for passengers. You can live in this car. Sad about resale value. My car lost $21K in 13 months? The car lacks nothing, but good gas mileage. Hurricanes could blow around this car and you wouldnt hear or feel them.
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194000 miles and still running strong - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
By mikevee1 - October 31 - 3:35 pmI love love love this truck I have owned it since 175000 miles and it wont give up , According to the last driver who was an elderly person the only problem ever was a suspension fuse for the air system. It is huge, on the highway I get over 20 mpgs (the trick is using a k&n hiflow filter) I highly recommend this vehicle. In the snow it is awesome, dont even need the 44 since it is awd all time. The ladies love it, and so does visiting family. I believe I will own this until 300,000 miles. I just drove to Vegas from Minnesota and not a hesitation. Kudos Lincoln on making a sweet ride.
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2nd Nav., 05 Best Ever - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
By Oberwerk - October 27 - 8:10 amAfter 53K trouble-free miles on my 02 Nav, I thought an 05 Expedition Limited might be just as nice for 10K less. Test drove the Ford and was disappointed- not as nice as my 02 Nav. Then checked out the 05 Nav and was surprised to see how much theyve improved. Bought it and have been very pleased. Major improvement over my 02, and I was quite happy with that.
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SUV- Super Utility Vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
By ColtsFan1 - October 24 - 10:00 amThis vehicle meets my expectations and I like the luxury and comfort. I have a few issues, but no road stoppers.
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Not bad for a Ford - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
By gswar2003 - September 9 - 10:16 amI was a bit skeptical to buy it since my ford Exploder days. But I must admit it has been a joy to drive. I have had no major mechanical problems except running through brake pads like water. All & all a nice vehicle. The only think is for a $50,000 vehicle the cheap plastic pieces that break off need to go. I am looking forward to buying 04 or 05 Great family vacation car!
