Once the king of full-size luxury SUVs, the Lincoln Navigator has largely stood still as competitors became more advanced in recent years. It's no longer the most opulent or brash choice, but it's a commodious vehicle that's a good choice for people hauling things or passengers.
The bigger question buyers need to ponder, though, is whether they need the truck-based abilities of the Navigator -- or if they'd be better off with a more comfortable and efficient crossover.
What's New
Entering its eighth model year in its current version, the Navigator gets no meaningful changes for 2014.
Interior/Exterior
The Navigator's exterior hasn't changed much since its 2007 redesign. It may be huge, but it isn't as imposing as a Cadillac Escalade or Range Rover, nor is it as tasteful as a Mercedes-Benz GL450 or Audi Q7. Worse, it looks very similar to the Ford Expedition with which it shares many components.
It's in the Navigator's interior that age becomes a bigger problem. Materials are far from opulent, and a Navigator makes do with a relatively small screen and few advanced features like lane departure warning, around-view monitors or trick off-road controls. At least what's there is relatively easy to use -- and features like SYNC voice recognition, navigation, HD radio and power-deploying running boards are all standard equipment. Another advantage: The third-row is usable for adults and folds flat with power-assist.
Under the Hood
The only engine is a 5.4-liter V8 with 310 horsepower -- it's outdated, underpowered and not that economical at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. The six-speed transmission is, likewise, outclassed by eight-speed gearboxes from many competitors.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, while a four-wheel drive system is an option. Towing capability is up to 9,000 pounds.
Performance
The truck-based underpinnings of the Navigator hurt its maneuverability, and it isn't more spacious than unibody competitors. In addition to a bouncy ride and vague steering, it doesn't handle with much confidence and is ultimately more of a chore to drive than any luxury vehicle should be.