Big,
smooth, luxurious
The Lincoln Navigator is a premium
full-size SUV based on the Ford Expedition
body-on-frame construction. This
same design used for Ford trucks
and gives the Navigator the ability
to tow up to 8600 pounds when properly
equipped. It can also carry up to
8 passengers, including their gear,
with a smooth, supple, sedan-like
ride.
Navigator is credited
with starting the big luxury SUV
market with its introduction in 1997.
It was significantly revamped for
2003 with most changes occurring
to the interior; it takes a highly
trained eye to detect exterior differences.
Exterior changes for 2005 are subtle
at best with design changes to the
front fascia, fog lamps, side cladding
and running boards. There's
also new 18-inch chrome euro-flange
wheels and four new exterior colors.
Other new features
for '05 include an improved
5.4-liter, 300 horsepower V-8 mated
to a new six-speed automatic transmission,
replacing the four-speed transmission.
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
control™ is now standard on
all series.
Another redesign
isn't expected until the 2007
model year when Navigator will shift
to Ford's new T1 platform,
which it will share with the next
generation F-150 pickup. Ford has
hinted at adding an extended version
of the Navigator for the 2007 model
year, competing against the Cadillac
Escalade ESV.
Considering its enormous
size, the Lincoln Navigator is remarkably
nimble and easy to drive despite
a portly 6000-pound curb weight.
Its rack and pinion steering is precise
and works in concert with the standard
AdvanceTrac®, and independent
rear suspension, the only luxury
SUV to have it.
While most drivers
will be satisfied with the 300 horsepower,
the Navigator does not accelerate
as quickly as you might expect. It
certainly is a step slower than the
powerful 345 horsepower Cadillac
Escalade.
Navigator continues
to be the first and only with power
running boards that deploy four inches
from the rocker panel when a door
is opened, then return automatically
when the door is closed. Static running
boards are standard with the power
running boards available as an option
($1095). I found them to be a nuisance
and continually scraped my pant legs
on them. I can only imagine the damage
they do to slacks in climates with
slush, snow and mud.
The Navigator is offered
in two models - Luxury and
Ultimate - both available in
either 4x2 or 4x4, with prices ranging
from $49,600 to $60,000. All Navigators
come fully equipped with both standard
and optional luxury features including
heated and cooling seats, power rear
lift gate, power folding third-row
seating, navigation and DVD entertainment
systems.
The interior pampers
with American burl walnut, premium
leather trim with satin nickel finishing.
Add the backlit bright white lighting
on navigator's symmetrical
instrument panel and the signature
analog clock smack in the middle
of the dash and it all works well
for an upscale luxury look.
Four large bucket
seats occupy the first two rows with
bench seating in the spacious third-row.
A 40/20/40 second row bench seat
is available and can slide forward
to position a child seat within reach
of the driver's seat.
The 2004 Lincoln Navigator
received the government's highest
five-star crash test rating.
Sales of large SUVs
are beginning to wane and Navigator
is no exception. Dealer supplies
are beginning to swell and manufacturers
are offering huge factory rebates
and/or special financing.
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