2008 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator is a full size luxury SUV that was first introduced in 1998, essentially as a more luxurious Ford Expedition. Now in its third generation, the Navigator still shares most of its essential components such as chassis and powertrain with the Expedition; while it was one of pioneering vehicles in the large luxury SUV niche, prompting Cadillac to quickly develop the Escalade in response, today the Navigator has fallen behind its competitors in terms of performance, style and road manners.

One of the Navigator's weakest links is its engine. In 1999, the vehicle received a huge 70 horsepower bump to 300 horsepower, competitive for the time period; for 2008, the Navigator's 5.4 Liter V8 still features the same 300 horsepower, over 100 less than the Escalade. The transmission has been upgraded to a 6-speed automatic to make the most of the power and 365 lb.-feet of torque. Rear wheel drive is standard, while four wheel drive is a $3,000 option.

Conversely, the 'Gator's strong point is a luxurious interior with ample space for passengers in all three rows in part due to an independent rear suspension which frees up third row legroom and also pays dividends for handling. Other components that add to the versatility of the interior include power adjustable pedals and a power folding third row seat. Standard features include heated and cooled leather seats, genuine wood trim, and a 14 speaker (!) 600 watt sound system with a 6 disc in-dash CD changer.

Several option packages are available for order; the Elite package include a touch screen DVD-based navigation system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system with an eight inch screen, a power moonroof, and a reverse camera system. The limited edition 'monochrome' package features a unique chrome grille, ebony wood trim, and special interior trimmings, while a Premium Leather seating package is comprised of upgraded quality leather and contrasting stitching. A heavy-duty towing package is also available, upping the towing capacity to 8.800 lbs for the 4x2 and 9.050 lbs for the 4x4.

The Navigator's passive safety features consist of an Advancetrac stability control system with Roll Stability Control; in the event of a collision, the vehicle features dual front airbags as well as side curtain airbags which reach from the 1st to the 3rd row.