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:

• 

  Great SUV - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ricardo - June 16 - 5:10 pm

  I have had my 2005 Lincoln Navigator Ultimate 4x4 for about 10 months now. I bought it top of the line, except I didnt get Sirius Satellite Radio. I have had only one problem with it: the right power-deployable running board stopped working and would not retract. I took it to the dealership and they said that it short-circuited. They ordered a new running board for me and replaced it for free. The Touch Screen Navigation system is very easy to use. The THX-Certified surround sound system is like being in a movie theatre! The power liftgate is a great feature (which, by the way, is not available on the Escalade ESV Platinum which is about $5K more). Xenon headlights make the car stand out.

• 

  Did not abandon the heritage... - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By Johnny Kakes - June 2 - 5:13 pm

  This is my 3rd Navigator. I have had all three body styles now. Lincoln overall has given me the best ride and reliability. The service at my dealership is phenomenal also.

• 

  LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rick - May 25 - 12:50 pm

  I bought a 2005 fully loaded ultimate 4x2 navigator in September 2009. I had two jeeps and a fully loaded dodge ram pickup prior to this navigator and there is no comparison. I love my navi. It drives like a dream the engine is powerful and smooth. Love the air suspension fills like your riding on air. I will drive it until the wheels fall off and then my next car will be a navigator

• 

  NEW TIRES NEW NAVIGATOR - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By TH4SBWU - May 24 - 10:00 am

  GET RID OF CONTINENTAL OE TIRES AND REPLACE WTH ONE SIZE BIGGER BRIDGESTONE DUELERS, THE DIFFERENCE IS INCREDIBLE.

• 

  great suv - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ultimate - May 20 - 7:23 am

  my 98 was nice but this one is great! i tow 6000 lbs. and it handles the task without complaining. sold my 98 with 173k miles with only regular service, alternator, air ride compressor and a coil pak. i call that not bad.

• 

  04 Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By heyjewel - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought it just before Xmas. Whole family LOVES it. Put 1400 miles on first week. A dream to drive, and mileage was 15.4 Ill take that knowing itll get better after break-in. Plenty powerful and tranny is real smooth.

• 

  Love my "car" - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By AC - May 8 - 1:03 pm

  Love the heavy ride, stability and ability to see the road. Towing mirrors eliminate blind spots. Mileage is better than my last "car". I get 20 mph or so on the open highway. True comfort.

• 

  The Best Ride - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ashish - May 3 - 5:46 am

  the navigator has the smoothest ride out of all the suvs on the market... i have done extensive research before purchasing the navigator and it beats all the other suvs

• 

  Solid and reliable - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Long time owner - April 30 - 10:00 am

  As I begin thining about moving up to a newer model, I hesitate to give up this solid truck with nice features and great towing capabilites. The ride is a bit on the truck side, but if you need a vehicle that can pull the boat with ease, inspire confidence on snow covered roads, and give you a comanding view of the road, this is a good choice. Fuel economy seems right in the ballpark for a vehicle of this type, averaging just over 15 mpg, but can get higher in freeway driving.

• 

  Recommended - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Jason - April 26 - 2:53 am

  I traded my 2000 Nav in when I purchased my new 2006 Nav and the improvement have been incredible. Ive put on 45,000 miles on my 06 and its never been in the shop once. Very reliable and comfortable. You get a lot for your money, folding 3rd row seats, automatic tailgate, TMX sounds system vs. other luxury SUVs. I would definitely recommend this vehicle for those of you reading my review. I put 98K miles on my 2000 Nav and had no problems.