The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV marketed by the Lincoln brand of Ford since the 1998 model year. Sold in North America, it is based on the Ford Expedition. It is the heaviest production Lincoln, the Lincoln with the greatest cargo capacity, and the first non-limousine Lincoln to offer seating for more than six people.
Production was sourced from 1997 to 2009 at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Since 2009, production has also been sourced from the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
Background
At the end of the 1980s, in the United States, sport-utility vehicles gradually began to transition from dedicated off-road vehicles towards dedicated family vehicles, similar to station wagons.[2] In 1991, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer (SJ) ended its almost unchanged 28-year production run.[3] The vehicle had gained a famous reputation for its high content, featuring the same content as a luxury sedan.[4] A smaller, unibody Grand Cherokee (ZJ) was induced during 1992 that offered new luxury equipment and class-exclusive features.[5] General Motors introduced the Oldsmobile Bravada in 1990 and Ford later introduced the Mercury Mountaineer in 1996, convincing several other manufacturers to introduce mid-size luxury SUVs. As full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition are highly profitable vehicles, the Lincoln Navigator was positioned by Ford as a full-sized, luxury SUV.
First generation (1998)
The Lincoln Navigator was launched on July 1, 1997, for the 1998 model year, with the first vehicle rolling off the assembly line on May 14, 1997.[6][7] Based directly on the Ford Expedition, introduced the year before, the Navigator gave the Lincoln-Mercury division its first full-size SUV (slotted above the Ford Explorer-based Mercury Mountaineer).
In its first calendar year of sales (i.e. 1998), Navigator contributed to an unprecedented event of recent decades – with Lincoln overtaking perennial rival Cadillac in annual sales volume. Initially, published figures indicated that Cadillac had outsold Lincoln by a scant 222 vehicles sold, thanks to an enormous surge in Cadillac Escalade sales in December 1998, from hundreds in previous months to almost 5,000. A subsequent audit resulted in a retraction/apology in May 1999, attributing the "error" to "overzealous" "low-level" employees.[8]
Second generation (2003)
Launched in May 2002 for the 2003 model year,[16] a number of changes and improvements were made to the Navigator thanks to a thorough redesign. The Navigator continued to share a platform with the Ford Expedition, which was also redesigned for 2003, but continued to differ from it in terms of styling and various upscale features. The redesign featured a thoroughly revised exterior, the first since the Navigator's launch, with only the front doors and roof panel unchanged from the previous generation. The new exterior came with things such as a larger chrome waterfall grille, brighter quad-beam headlights with larger housings, revised chrome door handles set in color-keyed bezels, and slightly wider running boards.
Inside the Navigator was an all-new instrument panel and dashboard area which, significantly, was not shared with the Expedition. Inspired by the symmetrical, "dual-cockpit" layout of the 1961 Lincoln Continental, the instrument panel and dashboard area was adorned with real walnut burl wood inserts and panels and switches painted with a low-luster satin nickel color. Adding to the upscale interior design further were white LEDs, 120 in all, which provided backlighting for controls and switches. Additionally, to direct attention to the high-quality satin nickel-faced analog clock mounted in the dashboard, an articulating door is present to conceal the radio head unit and optional satellite navigation system when they are not in use.[17]
Third generation (2007)
The Navigator was redesigned under the U326 program code name, with new styling and mechanical features for model year 2007. Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006, the Navigator featured its most distinctive styling update since its introduction, with new front and rear fascias and side cladding. In front was a split upper and lower chrome grille with integrated fog lights resembling those of classic Lincolns like the 1946–1948 Continental, along with a more complex headlight design and a more prominent "power dome" hood. Elsewhere, an updated rear fascia featured taillights inspired by the Lincoln MKZ and chrome trim was more prominently used along the sides, including chrome lower body molding on the doors. The interior featured an updated dashboard and instrument panel with an extensive use of rectangular shapes, such as in the gauges, as well as greater use of real wood and satin nickel accents.
Accompanying the Navigator's redesign for 2007 was a new model, the Navigator L developed under the U418 program code name. Comparable to the Cadillac Escalade ESV, the Navigator L is 14.7 in longer than the standard Navigator on a 12 in longer wheelbase, increasing its cargo capacity. The Navigator L was introduced parallel to the Expedition EL, an extended version of the Ford Expedition. Both the Navigator and Expedition were redesigned for 2007 and based on Ford's T1 platform, which is related to the platform of the 2004+ F-150. Compared to the Navigator's previous platform, this platform provided greater rigidity for better driving dynamics. The independent rear suspension was replaced with a five-link IRS design to improve handling and ride quality.
Fourth generation (2018)
On April 12, 2017, the fourth-generation 2018 Lincoln Navigator was introduced at the 2017 New York Auto Show.[41] As with previous generations, the fourth-generation remains the Lincoln counterpart of the Ford Expedition, offered in both a standard and long-wheelbase configuration (Lincoln Navigator L).[42] As before, both two and four-wheel drive versions are offered.[42]
The fourth-generation marked a significant shift in the exterior styling of the Navigator, as it adopted styling features of the 2017 Lincoln Continental. In another major shift, the model line adopted aluminum body construction.
Lincoln refreshed the Navigator for the 2022 model year which was unveiled in August 2021. This added certain features such as a larger 13-inch center touchscreen along with BlueCruise, a semiautonomous driver assist system.
Chassis
The fourth-generation Lincoln Navigator uses the Ford T3 platform, developed under the U554 code name.
Fifth generation (2025)
The fifth generation Navigator was revealed on August 15, 2024, with sales set to commence in the first half of 2025.[49][50]
The Navigator shares a similar design for the front and rear fascias from the Aviator and Nautilus. It has an illuminated light bar on the grille upfront and a full-width LED taillights on the rear. The lights feature Lincoln Embrace welcoming sequence upon vehicle approach. For the first time, the Navigator is available with 24-inch alloy wheels.
The interior features Lincoln Digital Experience user interface with a 48-inch full-width display spanning across the top of the dashboard with Google built-in. There is a 11.1-inch touchscreen used as the control panel. Other interior features include a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, Lincoln Digital Scent, Lincoln Rejuvenate and Second-Row Power Tailored Seats with massage option.
The independent rear glass opening feature has been ditched for a Split Gate, with the Open on Approach feature. It is also available with a Cargo Tailgate Manager which can be positioned as a bench seatback or a dining table.
Awards
- On January 14, 2018, The Lincoln Navigator was awarded Truck of the Year at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, marking the first time that a Lincoln vehicle has been given a NAIAS award, as well as the first American-built Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle in this segment to win in this category.[51][52]
- 2024 Best CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) Value in America Award from Vincentric in the Large Luxury SUV segment for that reason and several others, joining its platform mate – the Ford Expedition – which took home top honors in the Large SUV segment.
Sales
External links
- Lincoln Navigator at AutoGuideWiki
References
- Facilities | Ford Motor Company Newsroom Media.ford.com, retrieved October 15, 2010^
- 1963-1992 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer Howstuffworks, HowStuffWorks.com, 29 August 2007, retrieved 2 November 2020^
- Mike McNessor. Jeep's 1984-'91 Grand Wagoneer defined the luxury SUV