The Navigator is a luxurious Lincoln cousin to the Ford Expedition full-size SUV. Introduced in 1998, the Navigator has proven extremely popular, comprising 40% of the American luxury SUV market in 2001.

1998

The 1998 Navigator introduced the concept of an American luxury SUV, competing at first with only the Land Rover Range Rover. It was trimmed with leather, wood, and fine carpeting, but its humble pickup truck roots could be easily spotted. This didn't slow sales, though, and competitors from Chevrolet and GMC quickly followed.

Upgrades came just one year later with a more powerful DOHC InTech engine and power-operated pedals. More luxury features appeared in 2000, and the generation was replaced after 2002.

Engine options:

• 1998 - 5.4 L Triton V8, 230 hp (172 kW)
• 1999-2002 - 5.4 L InTech V8, 300 hp (224 kW)

2003

The Navigator was updated in 2003, along with the Ford Expedition, on the new Ford U platform. The interior was also substantially revised to bring it up to the level expected by luxury buyers.

Along with a light facelift the powertrain was revised for 2005, with the DOHC 5.4 L V8 being replaced by a new SOHC design borrowed from the F-150, driving the wheels through a new Jaguar-sourced 6-speed automatic transmission.

Engine options:

• 2003-2005 - 5.4 L 3V V8, 300 hp (224 kW)