Background: The all-new, 1998 Navigator is a big deal in more ways than one. The large, roomy, luxury-appointed sport-utility vehicle made its debut last summer and has been driving a new breed of customer into Ford Motor Co.'s Lincoln-Mercury dealers. For the 1997 calendar year, total Lincoln retail sales were up 28 percent and Navigator was a big part of the sales jump. Navigator has been so successful that Cadillac, the luxury division of General Motors, announced it will debut a luxury-appointed sport utility of its own before the end of the year. Imagine, upscale Lincoln and Cadillac dealerships gleeful about peddling trucks. Navigator and Ford's Expedition share the same automotive platform. Expedition, Ford's largest sport-utility offering, hit the streets two years ago. Leather seating, soft-riding suspension, more chrome, a Lincoln front grille and a remarkably quiet ride and larger price tag set the Wayne Mich.-built Navigator apart from its corporate Expedition twin.
Engine: The sole Navigator engine is a big, powerful 5.4-liter, single overhead cam, V-8 delivering 230 horsepower capable of towing 8,000 pounds. Ford's Expedition offers this same engine and a second 4.6-litre V-8. Navigator does offer a choice of a two-wheel rear drive or four-wheel drive versions. We tested a 4 x 4 Navigator with the very handy and convenient Control Trac system which allows transfer from two-wheel to four-wheel drive from a dashboard dial. Drivers select from automatic four-wheel drive, permanently-engaged four-wheel drive and low-range four-wheel drive depending on road conditions.
Price: Two-wheel drive Navigators start at $39,310. Our red, test drive, four-wheel drive Lincoln had a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $42,660. With options including moonroof, seventeen-inch cast aluminum wheels and six-disc compact disc changer, the bottom line totaled $46,660 including a $640 destination charge.
Safety features: Dual air-bags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side impact door beams, keyless remote entry and rear door child safety door locks are all standard.
Standard equipment: Air conditioning, four-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, tilt steering column, intermittent front and rear windshield wipers, AM/FM cassette stereo, power windows, power door locks and rear window defogger are all standard fare.
Options: Because it's an up-scale luxury vehicle, options are keep to a minimum. Six-disc compact disc player, auxiliary climate controls for middle-seat riders, power moonroof and electrochromic rearview mirror top the few selections available.
Interior: Burled walnut trim is smattered throughout the dashboard, including the steering wheel. The optional compact disc magazine stores in the center storage bin. The bin is large enough to also accommodate room for other items. Cup holders are all over the place. Dual cup holders retract from the dashboard, and two more are permanently molded between the front bucket seats (four cup holders up front?) A steering-wheel mounted gear shift opens up the center area for even more storage nooks. Instrument panel displays are well presented out and backlit at night with red and blue illuminations. Power outside mirrors, power locks and window controls are located on the driver's door. Ventilation controls situate below the stereo system and operate through a series of buttons (fan direction), dial (fan speed) and two buttons (raising and lowering temperature.) The stand-alone digital clock is separate from the radio frequency display. The rear-window defogger button, left of the steering column along with the dial headlight control, is separate from other temperature controls. Both front and rear windshield wipers operate from the turn signal stalk. Steering wheel controls are a nice luxury appointment. All cruise control functions operate from a series of buttons on the left side of the steering wheel and auxiliary stereo and temperature controls situate on the right. Power outlets for portable phones and other modern amenities are found in front and back.
Seating comfort: Leather upholstered, seven seating capacity comes standard in Navigator. Front bucket seats include six-way power control and the driver's seat has dual memory. The middle-row, leather bucket seats open up the floor area offering loads of room to stretch and move. A large, deep storage bin with writing table top and two cup holders situates between bucket seats. Headphone plugs are available in the second row as well. A second-row bench seat with three passenger positions is also available as an option. Maneuvering into the raised third-row bench seat takes quite a bit of bending and twisting so it's best left for toddlers and shorter teenagers. Not much cargo room is left with the rear bench seat in tact, but when removed, cargo room increases to 116 cubic feet. Large windows and side view mirrors coupled with a high seating position provides great road visibility.
Exterior: The rear, two-piece tailgate includes a glass window that swings up and a gate which pulls down. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels come standard, but optional seventeen-inch chrome wheels provide an extra degree of traction and look great. Lincoln adds more chrome in vertical front grille bars and door handles. The exterior whip antenna is positioned on the right front fender. A full-size spare stows in the underbelly of the vehicle, freeing up interior cargo room. Standard roof racks tow hooks and fog lights add an aggressive touch. Exterior colors include black, Cypress Gold Frost, Blazer Red Tinted, Dark Evergreen, Deep Navy Blue and Oxford White.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 119.1 inches Overall length: 204.8 inches Overall width: 79.9 inches Overall height: 76.7 inches Curb weight: 5,150 pounds
About the competition: Navigator is taller and wider then the Lexus LX 450 (a leathered-up version of Toyota's Land Cruiser). It's retail price of $42,660 for the 4 x 4 version is more than $6,000 less than a LX 450 and $13,000 less than a Range Rover 4.0 SE. Plus Navigator has more engine power than both competitors.
Target market: The median age of Navigator buyers is 50 with a median income of $130,000. Interestingly, 47 percent are women, a higher percentage compared to Lincoln owners overall. Navigator is bringing new blood in Lincoln dealers too. Thirty-one percent of buyers were first-time visitors to a Lincoln-Mercury dealership and two-thirds did not replace a Ford, Lincoln or Ford vehicle when they purchased their Navigator. Navigator targets up-scale empty nesters as well.
Fuel economy: Navigators tank holds 30 gallons of unleaded regular. That's good because miles per gallon in this two-ton, V-8 engined monster is nothing to write home about. Miles per gallon in city driving is estimated at 12 while highway mpg checks in at 16. We averaged less than 14 miles per gallon in combined driving. Fortunately, gas prices are at their lowest levels in more than four years. The left-side fuel tank door does not lock.
Final thoughts: Navigator's speed-sensitive steering provides this huge vehicle with very nimble handling. Getting into the bucket seats takes a step up motion, but the illuminated running boards are a big help. Also useful are air shocks and air springs which lower the body about an inch once the ignition is turned off. Navigator seats seven, but anyone reaching adult proportions better sit in the four bucket seats. The third row bench seat is raised higher then the quad seating in the first two rows so headroom is tight in back |