2007 Lincoln Navigator First Drive

Lincoln Navigator - First Drive: The big news for the 2007 Lincoln Navigator is just that: Big. The biggest Navigator yet bows with the “L” model. The styling is bigger and brasher. In terms of physical size, the Navigator L’s 14.7 inches of additional length adds 25 cubic feet more cargo carrying volume behind the third row. The bigger attitude and style are all designed to keep the Navigator in the hunt against the king of bling, Cadillac’s Escalade. Judging just by the acres of chrome the ‘Gator has the Slade nailed. But when you lift the chrome-laden hood of the Navigator its primary weakness is laid bare: A V8 that is easily overpowered by most of its competition.

The Basics: Origins

Lincoln calls the Navigator “America’s original full-size luxury suv,” and when it debuted in 1998, it owned its segment. Then the Cadillac Escalade came along. The Navigator’s second-generation revamp in 2003 made it better in almost every way, thanks to sharing its platform with the Ford Expedition and F-Series trucks, but features such as power retractable running boards and a power lift gate couldn’t help it compete against the in-your-face Escalade. For its third generation, the Navigator is still based on the Expedition, but it pumps up the attitude and adds a stretched L version to help it square off against its GM rival.

The Basics: Model Mix

There are two trim levels available on the 2007 Lincoln Navigator: base and Ultimate. The base model comes standard with keyless entry, power-adjustable pedals, windows and locks, and power folding and heated outside mirrors. It also includes essentials such as reverse sensing, a universal garage door opener, dual automatic climate control, a six-CD changer, leather upholstery and a 10-way power front seat adjustment. Of course, there are airbags aplenty for front and side-impact. The Ultimate trim adds a power liftgate, moonroof and folding third-row seats, an additional overhead console, and heated and cooled front seats. Standalone options include power running boards, satellite navigation and Sirius satellite radio, a DVD system for the rears seats, a towing package and, naturally, 20-inch wheels.

The Basics: Pricing

Rear-wheel drive versions of the 2007 Lincoln Navigator Luxury models sticker for $46,575, while the Ultimate version starts at $48,575. Opt for four wheel drive and the prices bump up to $49,475 and $51,475. All prices include an $820 destination charge. Pricing for the 2007 Lincoln Navigator L is not yet available. Individual options are plentiful, and range from the affordable (a $50 chrome hood accent) to the extravagant (the $4,480 navigation and entertainment package). Also optional are a $2,485 THX-II audio system with Sirius satellite radio, $1,495 20-inch chrome wheels, and an Elite package that bundles the navigation, high-end audio system and power running boards into one $5,450 checkbox.

What’s New: Outside

World’s biggest cheese grater. World’s biggest BBQ grille. World’s biggest harmonica. Any analogy you come up with for the Navigator’s new front end always is prefaced by “world’s biggest.” Until this year, the Navigator was subdued compared to a Cadillac Escalade, but the huge chrome grille, flanked by massive jeweled headlights and topped with another bar of chrome on the domed hood, bestow upon the Navigator the title, “King of Chrome.” The grille follows the pattern of Lincoln’s latest designs for the new MKX and MKZ, but it upscales horribly to the Navigator, making it look like the SUV has the world’s biggest braces. There’s also a big chrome strip along the side, matching the optional 20-inch chrome wheels.

What’s New: Inside

In developing the interior of the new 2007 Lincoln Navigator, designers turned to its existing customer base. "The typical Lincoln Navigator owner is a check-every-box buyer," explains Lincoln’s Raj Nair. "If there’s an option, they want it.” Subsequently, the interior is awash in genuine wood trim, satin nickel accents, cool white lighting, plush leather upholstery and a peculiarly retro gauge cluster. Thanks to additional length, Navigator L models swallow 25 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row of seats; dropping all the seats unveils a massive 128.2 cubic feet of cargo in L models, while the shorty versions offer a mere 103.5 cubic feet.

What’s New: Under the Hood

Regardless of length or trim level, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator has only one engine, a 5.4-liter V8 with 300 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission and sent to either the rear or all four wheels, depending on the drive configuration. The suspension is fully independent – a double-wishbone setup in front and a five-link configuration in the rear – and a load-leveling option is available. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and roll stability control with are bundled with AdvanceTrac. Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped in 255/70R18 rubber, while the optional chrome 20-inchers roll on low-profile 275/50R20 tires.

Driving: Test Car, Location

We drove an Ultimate four-wheel drive 2007 Lincoln Navigator over a course of more than 100 miles from Asheville, North Carolina to Knoxville, Tennessee. Our test route included city and suburban roadways, as well as twisty, two-lane byways that were challenging and informative for full-sized SUV that tips the scales at over three tons. Our White Chocolate Tri-Coat model with Camel Leather was inviting inside and out. Trimmed with the Elite Package and a passel of stand-alone options, the base price of $50, 655 shot to $59,755, as equipped.

Driving: Performance

There’s no question that the 2007 Lincoln Navigator is significantly improved compared to its predecessors. Its 5.4-liter Triton V8 makes enough power for everyday driving, but not enough to generate any excitement. Its six-speed transmission has been engineered for faster acceleration, smaller steps between gears and improved shift quality. Both fifth and sixth gears are overdrive to help increase fuel economy, and the transmission also locks to assist with towing duties. The four-wheel drive system is a true off-road style, with a transfer case and locking differential that, despite the ruggedness, is more likely to be used when towing and hauling loads on slick and gravel surfaces than in real off-roading.

Driving: Ride and Handling

The frame of the 2007 Lincoln Navigator is a tube-through-tube design that Lincoln’s engineers say is one of the stiffest frames in the industry, resulting in improved handling and fewer squeaks and rattles. Chassis modifications and a lower center of gravity along with the fully-independent five-link rear suspension smooth the ride, and an optional load leveling suspension keeps the ride quality consistent over uneven terrain and in corners. The Navigator’s suspension tuning definitely skews toward the luxury end of the spectrum, and while we prefer a firmer chassis we admit that the Gator never felt “floaty,” commendable considering the size and weight of this SUV. Larger and thicker brakes provide well-modulated stopping power.

Driving: Comfort

The 2007 Lincoln Navigator is quieter than its predecessors. The lower noise, vibration and harshness levels are the result of added insulation to the headliner and dash as well as thicker side glass and seals, side mirrors designed to soften wind noise, and sound absorbing padding added to the carpeting to minimize tire and road noise. The result is a more luxurious environment with greater ease of conversation. The standard 10-way-power front seats are plush and amply adjustable, with heating and cooling. Second rows seats can be ordered with a 40/20/40 set-up, and the third row seats are comfortable and functional, with grab handles that aid entry and exit.