In 1997, Ford changed the lights, grille, and bumpers of its new Expedition, added chrome and some Lincoln logos, and successfully blew up a market segment that contained only two competitors selling in small quantities. Lexus and Land Rover had full-size luxury SUVs in the mid-90s, but they weren't cool. Overnight, the Navigator inspired General Motors to launch the Cadillac Escalade, which, together, persuaded Nissan release the Infiniti QX56, Mercedes-Benz the GL, and onward until today, where dozens of powerful, decadent 4x4 SUVs make huge profits for luxury car brands that traditionally never built them. The Navigator is an American institution in size, capability, and strength, no matter that Lincoln—for most of the Navigator's 27 years—made little effort to distinguish it from a Ford, while charging tens of thousands of dollars more.
The latest fifth-generation 2025 Navigator carries the same turbocharged V6 engine in a familiar, redressed exterior but goes hard on the electronics, including a 48-inch display across the dash and a touchscreen that removes many physical controls. It also piles on comfort for the second and third rows, such as massaging and heated seats and upgraded rear seat entertainment.
While European competitors ride on car chassis and drive with more verve and sprightliness, they are all smaller—much smaller. The Navigator and the extended Navigator L are effectively limousines, in every sense. Direct competitors in terms of size and luxury content are the Cadillac Escalade, the GMC Yukon Denali, and the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country. The Infiniti QX80 and the Lexus LX are next in line, as body-on-frame trucks, despite being only slightly smaller. The Land Rover Range Rover, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the BMW X7, and the Audi Q7 are smaller still, yet, like the Navigator, their very existence is overkill. For buyers who can afford $100,000 to $150,000 SUVs, overkill feels just right.
Lincoln Navigator: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Lincoln Navigator Generations
- Lincoln Navigator Fifth Generation (2025-Present)
- Lincoln Navigator Fourth Generation (2018-2024)
- Lincoln Navigator Third Generation (2007-2017)
- Lincoln Navigator Second Generation (2003-2006)
- Lincoln Navigator First Generation (1998-2002)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years are the best?
For the very lowest prices, the 2015-2017 Navigator (the third-gen refresh) is the best value and relatively modern, courtesy of its turbocharged V6 engine. For interior quality and more power, the fourth generation (2018-2024) is best overall.
Which Lincoln Navigator years are the worst?
The first, second, and third (pre-refresh) Navigator models (1998-2014) are outclassed in terms of contemporary style, luxury, and technology. But they are solidly built, last a long time, and accommodate a lot of people and cargo for relatively little money.
Is a used Lincoln Navigator a good deal?
A used Navigator is always a good deal, as depreciation is very high, regardless of mileage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Powerful engine
- Impressive technology
Cons:
- Poor ride quality
- Cramped back seats
- Too few physical controls
Lincoln Navigator Generations
Lincoln Navigator Fifth Generation (2025-Present)
The newest 2025 Lincoln Navigator employed the design cues of the midsize three-row Lincoln Aviator and the midsize two-row Lincoln Nautilus. The grille was bisected by a bar, integrated with daytime running lamps and an illuminated Lincoln logo. Smaller headlights, a wide, thin taillight strip, and wheels up to 24 inches in diameter were the major changes. The greenhouse, with its flat body panels and large windows, continued as usual. Inside, Lincoln fit the Navigator with an oval-shaped steering wheel, a 48-inch non-touch display mounted close to the windshield, air vents that required a touchscreen to operate, and in that touchscreen, lots of complicated, distracting menus to adjust the simplest of features (such as the seats). There was no head-up display. Material quality is generally good, though the Navigator was still full of hard plastic (such as the seatbacks) that didn’t belong on such an expensive vehicle. Lincoln's application of leather and wood wasn’t quite as special as in the fourth generation, and the few physical controls that did exist, such as the rubber pads on the steering wheel, came across as cheap.
The Navigator pampered occupants with a new heated third row, standard 24-way “Perfect Position” front seats, and a second row that finally offered power-reclining, cooled, and massaging seats. A new split liftgate created a place to sit when parked, and a cargo management system could organize gear as a table, a shelf, or backrest. This generation had the most cargo space of any Navigator, with up to 107.0 cubic feet (or 121.6 cubic feet in the Navigator L, which was nearly a foot longer than the standard model).
Two trim levels were available. The base Premiere was no longer offered, so the entry-level MSRP was $100,000 for the Navigator Reserve. This included a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, a 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, Lincoln Rejuvenate (which used the ambient lighting, perfume, audio, and seat controls to act like a spa), hands-free highway driving, adaptive dampers, 22-inch wheels, and every conceivable driver assistance feature. A Jet Appearance package ($3,500 extra) darkened the exterior trim and wheels. The Black Label ($117,000) had softer leather, richer woods, 30-way seats, 28 speakers on the Revel stereo, four years of maintenance included, and more.
In our first drive of a 2025 Navigator Black Label, we found the 24-inch wheels made the ride too stiff and jarring. We liked the acceleration, the quiet cabin, and the very comfortable seats. The long wheelbase Navigator L added about $3,000 to each trim level.
Lincoln Navigator Fourth Generation (2018-2024)
This generation, 20 years after the first Navigator went on sale, genuinely felt like a Lincoln vehicle instead of a rebadged Ford. Interior quality, materials, and design—with only the doors and glass shared with the Expedition—were substantial improvements. The ambience was truly special on Black Label models that were colored and styled by fashion industry experts, such as the Central Park, which included gorgeous green paint, dark green leather, and laser-etched walnut. Nothing about the interior—or the exterior's lighting, wheels, and bumper treatments—suggested it was related to Ford. This generation is what we consider to be the best Navigator, before oversized, billboard advertisement-looking screens and cheap plastics invaded an otherwise sumptuous cabin.
Every Navigator in this generation came with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission shared with the Ford F-150 Raptor. As such, power was abundant (450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft), and the paddle shifters offered rev-matched downshifts. Black Label models offered 30-way power front seats, which no other luxury brand had (it had separate left and right thigh extensions, thigh bolsters, torso bolsters, an upper backrest tilt separate from the main backrest, a four-way headrest, three-way lumbar, and two massage programs). After the first year, the 2019 Navigator made adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, forward emergency braking, lane keep assist, and automatic parking standard on Reserve trims, while making the 30-way seats a standard feature on Black Label trims. Three paint colors were added, too.
For 2020, Lincoln made adaptive dampers, power running boards, cooled front seats, and auto high beams standard with every trim level. It updated its driver assist technologies, known as Lincoln Co-Pilot 360, and the Sync infotainment system.
For 2021, a Monochromatic package added dark wheels and removed chrome accents on certain Reserve trim levels. There were four new exterior colors.
A midcycle refresh for 2022 changed the shape of the lights and the grille, along with a wider 13.2-inch touchscreen running a newer and faster version of Sync. Black Label trims added more interior colors, known on the market as "themes". A hands-free driving system, called Active Glide, was optional, along with system chimes and warnings recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The adaptive dampers added a forward camera to read the road and adjust the ride stiffness. Massaging seats were an available feature for the second row.
On 2023 models, Lincoln made the limited-slip differential standard on the trailer tow package and certain colors were added across more trim levels. The 2024 Lincoln Navigator dropped the rear-wheel drive configuration and renamed the base model Premiere.
On CarGurus, the late-model, lowest-mileage examples are priced between $55,000 and $80,000. Older models with higher mileage run from around $25,000 to $45,000.
Lincoln Navigator Third Generation (2007-2017)
This was the longest-running Navigator generation, and initially brought more chrome to the grille, 20-inch aluminum wheels, door handles, door trim, and mirror caps. Everything about its style was louder and decked out, including the interior, which featured dramatically improved materials, voice-activated infotainment, THX surround sound, and higher-end finishes. The third row of seats were power fold on the Ultimate trim, a 5.4-liter V8 engine made 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque, sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. At the time, however, the Navigator felt slow and its fuel consumption was excessive (about 12 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway). Towing was rated at 9,100 pounds, while power-adjustable pedals, cooled front seats, rear DVD entertainment, and power running boards were all available.
For 2008, the cooled front seats, power-folding third row, and THX stereo became standard. The Ultimate trim was removed in favor of a single trim, and a backup camera was newly optional. For 2009, the backup camera was standardized, along with Sync voice-activated multimedia and heated second-row seats. The V8 engine's output was raised to 310 horsepower and the navigation could be controlled via Sync's voice commands. For 2010, Ford MyKey was introduced to restrict the vehicle's functions, such as speed or the audio system, for valets or teen drivers. Trailer sway control was also added.
For 2011, the audio system added HD radio, while rear passengers could now view entertainment on two screens instead of one. Convex lower side view mirrors and voice control for mobile apps on a paired phone were introduced for 2012. There were no changes for 2013 or 2014, but the 2015 Navigator was significantly refreshed with new front and rear fascias, lights, and bumpers, and a new interior with softer materials and new colors. The engine was remarkably improved, as the old V8 was dropped in favor of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 385 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, which bumped highway fuel economy to 20 mpg on four-wheel drive models. A new infotainment system, MyLincoln Touch, had more customization features but was replaced for 2016 with Sync 3, which was much faster and easier to use. There were no changes for 2017.
Third-generation Navigators are dirt cheap but typically have more than 100,000 miles. Expect prices between $4,000 for the oldest, highest-mileage examples to $30,000 for the newest and lowest-mileage versions. The majority of the refreshed models (2015-2017) are between $15,000 and $25,000.
Lincoln Navigator Second Generation (2003-2006)
An independent rear suspension allowed more space for cargo and third-row occupants, while providing a more controlled and stable ride. Other mechanical upgrades included a new frame that was stiffer and stronger, rack-and-pinion steering that was more accurate and tightened the turning radius, larger brakes, and air suspension—a feature never again seen on a Navigator after this generation. The exterior dimensions were hardly changed. A power-folding third row of seats (which folded completely flat into the floor) and a power liftgate were newfound luxuries. A 5.4-liter V8 with 300 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque was standard on every model year, with a four-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration was very slow and fuel consumption very high (12 mpg city and 16 mpg highway). Side curtain airbags and electronic brake force distribution were standard, and stability control was optional on Luxury, Premium, and Ultimate trims. Xenon headlights and power running boards were reserved for the Ultimate. A cover for the radio, which, along with the silver-painted center stack, was very chic at the time, was one part of an elegant interior.
For 2004, the Premium mid-grade trim was dropped, Roll Stability Control was added on models with stability control (known as AdvanceTrac), and tire pressure monitoring were standard. Sirius radio was available as an option. For 2005, Lincoln made AdvanceTrac standard, changed the grille and front bumper, offered new 18-inch wheels, upgraded the transmission to a six-speeder, and boosted the engine's torque by 10 lb-ft to 365 lb-ft. There were no major changes for 2006.
Nearly every Navigator of this generation that we saw advertised had high miles (150,000-plus) and low prices ($3,000 to $9,000).
Lincoln Navigator First Generation (1998-2002)
The first Navigator was simple and effective at making the Ford Expedition feel more luxurious than it really was. It offered a low-range four-wheel drive transmission, towing capacity of up to 8,000 pounds, standard captain's chairs, supportive leather seats, 17-inch chrome wheels, lots of cupholders, remote keyless entry, tri-zone climate, and lots of wood trim. The 5.4-liter V8 made 230 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, sent through a four-speed automatic.
For 1999, Ford replaced the single overhead cam engine with a dual overhead cam for improved power and torque (300 horsepower and 360 lb-ft). New options included heated front seats, a cell phone, an Alpine stereo, power-adjustable pedals, and an easier way to remove the optional third row seat. Side thorax airbags became standard for 2000, while navigation on a five-inch screen and cooled front seats were optional. Softer leather, more storage in the front center console, more wood trim, and mild changes to the body cladding were also featured on this model year. For 2001, Lincoln added child seat anchors to the back seats and included scheduled maintenance for three years. For 2002, a Limited Edition package included backup sensors, black paint, and unique wheels.
