Lincoln Navigator Review

2009 Lincoln Navigator SUV

While no longer the icon it was in the late 1990s, the Lincoln Navigator carries the distinction of being the first full-size SUV to be offered by a domestic luxury brand. Born at a time when SUVs were becoming ever more popular, the Navigator -- big, imposing and flashy -- was initially seen by some as the ultimate rolling status symbol.

Sold in two generations, the Lincoln Navigator is a traditional body-on-frame SUV with standard V8 power. In either generation, the Navigator offers seating for seven to eight, well over 100 cubic feet of cargo capacity and a tow rating of over 8,000 pounds. As such, it often appeals to large families with a boat or travel trailer. The availability of a dual-range four-wheel-drive system means that the biggest Lincoln has some off-road capability as well. Most Navigators, though, are fitted with running boards and aftermarket wheels, and rarely see trail duty.

Drawbacks to the early Navigators included subpar fuel economy, sluggish acceleration and sloppy handling. Fortunately, Lincoln has refined the formula over the years, and the result is a full-size SUV that offers a reasonably pleasant driving experience, along with one of the most accommodating third-row seats in the heavyweight class. We're not ready to call the Navigator the best of the large, luxury-brand sport-utilities, but it's still worth a look, especially for buyers who carry more than five adults on a regular basis.

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 (2WD) and four-wheel drive; the 4WD system offers both high- and low-range gearing, along with "2 Hi" and "Auto 4WD" modes, allowing the driver to prioritize either fuel economy or wet-weather traction.

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, Sync voice activation, a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. Many of the Navigator's options are bundled in the Elite package, which includes a moonroof, power-deployed running boards, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a voice-activated navigation system. Safety features like stability control (with rollover avoidance logic), front-seat side airbags and curtain airbags for outboard passengers are standard fare on all Navigators.

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. The biggest downside to the Navigator is its 5.4-liter V8 -- it feels a bit breathless next to the V8s in other competing full-size luxury SUVs.

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 and additional sound-deadening material. These changes added significantly to curb weight, but yielded tidier handling dynamics and a quieter, more refined ride. The '07 refresh also brought a pronounced, chrome-heavy grille design that was reminiscent of an early 1960s Continental. Interior materials in the Navigator have typically been a bit below average for this class, but the current generation gained higher-grade furnishings, along with an old-timer set of square gauges. There haven't been many changes since, though 2007 and '08 models had a less sophisticated navigation system and 10 less hp.

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 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 joined the options list in 2001, albeit in archaic VHS tape format.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.