2004 Lincoln Navigator $18,900 70,000 miles

While no longer the icon it was in the late 1990s, the Lincoln Navigator carries the distinction of being the first full-size SUV to be offered by a domestic luxury brand. Born at a time when SUVs were becoming ever more popular, the Navigator -- big, imposing and flashy -- was initially seen by some as the ultimate rolling status symbol.

Sold in two generations, the Lincoln Navigator is a traditional body-on-frame SUV with standard V8 power. In either generation, the Navigator offers seating for seven to eight, well over 100 cubic feet of cargo capacity and a tow rating of over 8,000 pounds. As such, it often appeals to large families with a boat or travel trailer. The availability of a dual-range four-wheel-drive system means that the biggest Lincoln has some off-road capability as well. Most Navigators, though, are fitted with running boards and aftermarket wheels, and rarely see trail duty.

Drawbacks to the early Navigators included subpar fuel economy, sluggish acceleration and sloppy handling. Fortunately, Lincoln has refined the formula over the years, and the result is a full-size SUV that offers a reasonably pleasant driving experience, along with one of the most accommodating third-row seats in the heavyweight class. We're not ready to call the Navigator the best of the large, luxury-brand sport-utilities, but it's still worth a look, especially for buyers who carry more than five adults on a regular basis.

Current Lincoln Navigator

The current Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV styled and equipped for an upscale audience. It shares the bulk of its underpinnings with the Ford Expedition, including its standard 310-horsepower 5.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. Navigator buyers have a choice between rear-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive. The 4WD system offers both high- and low-range gearing, along with "2 Hi" and "Auto 4WD" modes, allowing the driver to prioritize either fuel economy or wet-weather traction.

The Navigator is offered in one well-appointed trim level that includes 18-inch wheels, three-row seating for seven (with captain's chairs in the second row), leather upholstery, multizone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, Sync voice activation, a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. Many of the Navigator's options are bundled in the Elite package, which includes a moonroof, power-deployed running boards, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a voice-activated navigation system. Safety features like stability control (with rollover avoidance logic), front-seat side airbags and curtain airbags for outboard passengers are standard fare on all Navigators.

The ability to seat adults comfortably in all three rows of seats is the Lincoln Navigator's greatest advantage over other full-size competitors, most notably the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's independent rear suspension allows for a lower floor, which opens up more rear legroom while providing fold-flat capability for the third row. The biggest downside to the Navigator is its 5.4-liter V8 -- it feels a bit breathless next to the more powerful V8s in other competing full-size luxury SUVs.

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Autos & Vehicles

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• Navigator

[Mike060504]

Ultimate black persons car

[Bananazgocrazy00]

Omg I have been wanting one of those