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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  Claytons Nav - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Clayton Mullen - December 15 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Navigator is the best vehicle we have ever purchased it is big and very sexy looking.

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  Headrests need to go back to the 2006 version. - 2011 Lincoln Navigator
  By lincolndude1 - December 10 - 9:07 pm

  Recently traded a 2006 Navigator for a 2010 model. The ride is very smooth and handling around corners is fine. As Edmunds has stated, sometimes the transmission cant seem to find the right gear. The biggest complaint is the drivers and front passengers headrests are way too hard causing this driver a headache. The 2006 Navigator had just the right headrest as it was more adjustable being able to pivot forward as well as up and down and was more cushioned. The 2010 can only move up and down with hardly any cushion. Its hard to understand why auto manufacturers dont stick with a good thing once its created.

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  The best SUV - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By NS - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just traded in the 2002 Cadillac Escalade for the finest SUV on the road. The Navigator! The Navigator provides exactly what it should for a vehicle in this price range, the Escalade did not. This SUV has a car like ride with a higher vantage point. The seats are extremely comfortable, the interior, well thought out, the amenities appropriate (cordless headphones with the rear seat DVD player). The Escalade had a VERY powerful engine, but rode like a very expensive truck, and the build quality was horrible. Lincoln has a winner here, give the engine a bit more power and you have a perfect 10!

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  Editors must be Nutz! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By rl-candy - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Navvy on an 03. Felt like I got a good trade with the incentives etc. Have 3 kids. Boy has the Nav. matured into a high tech killer SUV! Doesnt surprise me that PDiddy likes it enough to put his name on them. The Escalade isnt even close in my opinion. As far as what matters in the real world, the Nav. has it. There are so many advancments, not just gadgetry but real useful innovative stuff! The 99 was very reliable and I hope this one will be too.

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  Never Buy One...If you value your money - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By d4xwb72 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  So far with only 4000 miles to date, the steering column and front suspension have been replaced. The tires have been balanced twice and the dealership, Neil Sandler Ford Lincoln Mercurys detail shop ruined the grey trim paint around the entire vehicle and are trying not to fix their mistake.

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  Lemon Drops - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By d mock - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Terrible reliability and dealer service. Needed new head gasket last year and new (rebuilt engine) this year.

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  "Navie" gator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By embeth - November 15 - 12:30 pm

  I bought a fully loaded ultimate 4x4 navigtor in june 2005. I had both a 1998 and 2004 eddie bauer expedition prior to this purchase. The navigators transmission shifting is awesome & smooth. I have 3600 miles on it so far. The engine is not quiet though when it is in park........Its embarrassing to drive up in this luxury suv and the engine can be heard. I am getting that checked asap. Besides, everyone gawking at my gator, or peeking inside the windows when they think im not looking.............This suv is close to perfect!

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  Great Gator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Wizards24 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle for the soccer mom or the career person. It has great versatility and can be used for that special date or just the kids.

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  navi - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By nick schumacher - November 3 - 10:00 am

  the nav has the smoothest ride of all the suvs ive been in

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  NIce truck - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By mnmjski - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 01 Toyota Sequoia for the Lincoln Navigator 03. To be honest, the Sequoia was smoother, quieter and had better acceleration. The Navigater does has a lot more "bells and whistles" and looks much more luxurious inside and out, but I sometimes wish I had the Toyota back.