Lincoln Navigator
The Pampermobile |
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By Richard J. Newman
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NITS: The turn-signal indicators and other information appear at the far edges of the instrument panel, outside the range of my peripheral vision (which is normal, last I checked). It's annoying not knowing whether your turn signal is flashing or not.
G-FORCES: The 5.4-liter V-8 engine is potent, but not explosive, given the Navigator's heft. As with most SUVs, I preferred straight roads to curvy ones that would send the lofty vehicle tilting one way or the other.
GIZMOLOGY: Instrumentation was fancy but laid out functionally, with a particularly nice display on the navigation system. But all those power options–the running boards, the liftgate, the folding seats–made me wonder what happens if something breaks. And sure enough, on my sixth day with the Navigator, a warning light appeared notifying me that the power liftgate was ajar. I pushed the button that opens and closes the liftgate several times, but the light stayed on.
KID MARKS: The running boards, needless to say, are a boon for little legs, not to mention a curiosity. There's plenty of space for kids, and numerous storage pockets will hold lots of their gear. The middle bench, if you choose it, has a new feature that allows the center portion to slide forward nearly a foot, ideal for parents who want to pull a baby into closer reach of the front seat.
HOT OR NOT? Not. Despite the requisite chrome and an angular face, the Navigator is just plain portly. The signature Lincoln grill seems more garish than stately on the Navigator's high forehead, as if it was there merely to call attention to the vehicle's bigness.
ENVIROMETER: Not yet given a "green vehicle" rating by the EPA. Mileage ranges from 11 mpg city to 17 mpg highway.
CRASH COURSE: Has not been crash tested by the government or by private rating organizations.
PRICE POINTS: Base prices range from $48,775 to $54,950. Price as tested: $61,335. All prices include delivery fees.
MORE INFO: http://www.lincolnvehicles.com
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Model year tested: 2003
One good test of a vehicle's versatility is how easy it is to put a bike inside. Here's how it worked with the Navigator. As I walked my bike up to the truck, I reached into my pocket for the key fob and pressed one of the small blue buttons. The power liftgate began to rise. Then I reached in and pushed two buttons that automatically tucked the third-row seat completely into the floor. It looked like I might need a little extra room for the front wheel, so I walked to the side of the Navigator and opened the door. A running board materialized from under the chassis, offering me a convenient step so that I wouldn't strain myself reaching into the cabin. Then I reached down and yanked a handle (What? No power button?) that flattened the middle-row seat. And that was it. I might pull a muscle or encounter a tree while I was actually riding my bike, but the Navigator was determined to see that I didn't stress myself while loading it.
This is what you get in a $60,000 SUV these days: Enough convenience features to simulate a butler. Way back when, SUVs had something to do with rugged individualism and muddy camping gear. Now they're chariots that you wouldn't want to muss by driving in the woods. Granted, the Navigator moves in a stratosphere where there are few illusions about roughing it. The plush interior is comfier than most living rooms. Supple leather upholstery is standard. Soft, white lighting creates the ambience of an artist's studio. Thick armrests and multiple seat settings insist that you relax, and an optional feature that heats or cools your seat offers about as much pampering as a person's bottom should ever expect.
Many of these features are sops to luxury buyers, but the Navigator does have a practical side. Three rows of seats are standard–increasingly common as SUVs mimic the functionality of minivans–and there's a lot of space in each row. There are two choices for the middle row: a bench seat that fits three; or bucket seats that accommodate two, with a big storage console/armrest between them. The rear seat fits three as well, even if they're adults–the legroom back there is much better than on competing models. The power-fold feature only comes on the highest trim line, but on other versions the seats still fold flat, leaving a ton of storage space.
As for the ride, the Navigator's performance is, well, Lincolnesque. The big contraption soars down the open road like a sailboat on a glassy lake. Potholes, curbs, and debris pass underneath, largely unnoticed. The power steering has a nice hint of stiffness, even though you can crank the vehicle around sharp turns with one hand. On more challenging roads, though, there's no mistaking this is a top-heavy behemoth weighing in at nearly 6,000 pounds. On a nighttime drive along a winding highway, I had to work to keep the Navigator on track, like walking a Great Dane that's intent on chasing squirrels to the left and right of the sidewalk. I fantasized about being in a sports car. Until I parked and opened the door and that running board slid out to meet my expectant shoe.
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