A Brief Look at the Lincoln Navigator
The History and Evolution of the Lincoln Navigator Vehicle
The Lincoln Navigator is a luxury full-size SUV that first entered the automotive market in 1998. It was launched by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company as their flagship SUV. The Lincoln Navigator was designed to compete with the Cadillac Escalade, which entered the market a year earlier.
The First Generation (1998-2002)
The first generation of the Lincoln Navigator was introduced in 1998. It was the first SUV to be produced by Lincoln. The design of the first-generation Navigator was based on the Ford Expedition. However, it had a more luxurious design with more features and amenities. The first-generation Navigator was powered by a 5.4-liter V8 engine that produced 230 horsepower.
During this period, Lincoln offered two variants of the Navigator; the standard and the higher-end Executive version. The latter offered more features like heated front seats, color-coded bumpers, and a power-adjustable third row. The first-generation Navigator could seat up to eight people.
The Second Generation (2003-2006)
In 2003, the second generation of the Lincoln Navigator was introduced. This iteration brought with it significant visual upgrades, improving both its exterior and interior designs. The Navigator became more luxurious and more refined in its second generation. It featured chrome detailing on the exterior, a more prominent grille, and more distinctive headlights. Inside, the instrument panel and steering wheel had significant upgrades, as did the sound system.
The second generation of the Navigator offered several engine options, including the standard 5.4-liter V8 engine that produced 300 horsepower and a high-performance 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine that produced 450 horsepower. Additionally, the Entertainment System became an optional feature on the second-generation Navigator.
The Third Generation (2007-2017)
The Lincoln Navigator’s third generation was introduced in 2007 with significant changes made to both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The design of the third-gen Navigator was unique and more athletic with a new front fascia, revised tailgate and rear bumper, and LED taillights. Inside, the interior of the third-generation Navigator received a huge technological upgrade. It featured a touch-screen navigation system with voice recognition technology.
The third generation of the Navigator also saw the introduction of several new features, including rain-sensing wipers, a rearview camera system, and heated and cooled front seats. The third-generation Navigator was powered by a 5.4-liter V8 engine that produced 310 horsepower.
The Fourth Generation (2018-Present)
The latest and fourth-generation Navigator was introduced in 2018 with substantial visual upgrades. The fourth-gen Navigator features a new grille design, vibrant LED headlights, and a range of chrome accents. The interior of the new Navigator exudes sophistication with elegance in its design. The cabin has abundant space with plush amenities, including a 30-way adjustable front seat, a panoramic sunroof, and a 20-speaker audio system.
The 2021 Navigator comes in two versions; a standard-length version and an extended-length navigator L version. The standard version offers comfortable seating for eight people, while the Navigator L can seat up to eight people too, but with greater legroom in the third-row positioning. The fourth-generation Navigator is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.
Variations within Each Generation
Each generation of the Lincoln Navigator has had different variants. In the first generation, the standard and higher-end Executive version differed slightly in their features. In the second generation, Lincoln offered both standard and L versions of the Navigator. The long-wheelbase model L was 14.7 inches longer than the standard model. In the fourth generation, the Navigator has an extended version known as the Navigator L that comes with an extra 10 inches of length for more passenger space.
Over the years, Lincoln has continued to innovate and enhance the Navigator, adding features and amenities, delivering a well-put-together luxury SUV. In its fourth generation, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator continues to cement itself as one of the best luxury vehicles on the market.