2005 Lincoln Navigator

Large and in charge. From the beginning, that's where Lincoln positioned their luxury SUV Navigator. Certainly, no one will argue the first part of that statement. Tipping the scales at nearly three tons (5,822 lb. base weight for 4x4s) and stretching over 17 feet long, the big ute has likely been more than a match for many a small garage. In charge? Lincoln claims that the Navigator created the premium, full-size SUV class when it debuted in 1997. And while the competition might dispute that point, there's no debating the fact that the hi-lux Lincoln has been a remarkably consistent seller since its inception. In a short first year, Navigator rolled up 26,831 sales, and the annual numbers haven't dipped below 30,000 since.

The Navigator is surprisingly composed and light on its feet, given its girth.

Now in the eighth year of its first generation, Lincoln has reached across the corporate aisles to keep their top truck fresh for 2005. From pickup king Ford, Lincoln picked up a V-8 motor. From luxury legend Jaguar, a six speed automatic transmission. The powertrain pairing pays big dividends in the Navigator. Though rated the same in displacement (5.4 liters) and horsepower (300) as last year's motor, the new engine adds 10 more lb.-ft. of torque. The transmission is smoother shifting and has two more gears than before, allowing this luxury truck the luxury of stretching the engine's power over a broader range. The result is better performance and improved gas mileage. That's improved, not good. Indeed, with the new driveline, the Navigator will pass most anything with ease except a gas station. Like all big sport utes, the Lincoln has a healthy appetite. Navigator is offered in either rear or all wheel drive versions. Though EPA has yet to rate the 4x4 model, we put about 600 miles on the odometer driving over a mix of city and country roads, and averaged just over 12 mpg. Those who tow will want to know that Navigator can be equipped to haul up to 8,600 lbs.


Although SUVs were originally designed to traverse all types of terrain, we know that the only time most venture off road is when the driver misjudges a u-turn and plows through the neighbor's petunia patch. The bigger and more luxurious the SUV, the more remote the possibility that it will travel anywhere remote. That said, the Lincoln surprises with its willingness to get its tires dirty. Navigator's Control Trac All-Wheel-Drive system offers four, driver-selectable settings, the most useful of which for most drivers is automatic 4WD. Here, the vehicle functions in its normal, rear-wheel-drive mode unless the system senses a loss of traction, in which case power is transferred to the wheels with the most grip. The All-Wheel-Drive system works in conjunction with the AdvanceTrac system standard on all Navigators. When a driver begins to skid in poor traction situations, AdvanceTrac modulates brakes and engine power to help the driver restore their grip and reduce the risk of vehicle rollover. On the road, Navigator rides as comfortably and quietly as most luxury cars. And, while no three-ton SUV handles like a sports car, the Navigator is surprisingly composed and light on its feet, given its girth.

Inside, Navigator offers the full shot of Lincoln luxury.

Inside, Navigator offers the full shot of Lincoln luxury. Burl walnut and leather mix pleasingly in the cabin. Premium vehicles sometimes present a daunting array of controls and switchgear to operate their many features. Not so in the Navigator, which draws high marks for bucking this trend. Even with the optional navigation system, Lincoln's big ute has a refreshingly straightforward set of controls. Two trim levels are available—Luxury and Ultimate—and a high level of convenience and comfort features are included as standard equipment. Ultimate models like our test vehicle add the following: power operated rear liftgate, power moonroof, heated and cooled front seats and a power fold-down third-row seat. Options on both models include high intensity discharge headlights, audio system upgrades and a rear seat entertainment system with 7-inch, drop-down screen, a DVD player and wireless headphones. Navigator offers adult-sized room for seven, though it's helpful if those heading for the third row have some child-like flexibility to get in and out. Cargo capacity ranges from 18-105 cubic feet, depending on how you configure the floor plan.