The Lincoln Navigator, launched for the 1998 model year, created the full-size luxury SUV as we know it. By adding Lincoln luxury to the Ford Expedition, it attracted buyers who had never considered a truck, became a sales hit almost overnight, and forced General Motors to rush out the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator has since evolved through several generations, including the widely praised 2018 redesign and a new generation for 2025.

At a glance
Launched 1998 model year
Based on Ford Expedition
Engines 5.4L V8 (early); 3.5L twin-turbo V6 from 2015
Long version Navigator L (since 2007)
Rival Cadillac Escalade

A new idea in 1997

In the mid-1990s, Lincoln’s sedans appealed to older buyers, and the brand needed something new. The Navigator took the new Ford Expedition, added a chrome grille, wood and leather, and a softer ride. It was an instant success, outselling expectations and bringing younger buyers into Lincoln showrooms.

The Escalade response

GM had no answer, so Cadillac hurried the first Escalade to market within about a year, based on the GMC Yukon Denali. The rivalry has continued ever since. Read the first Cadillac Escalade and Escalade vs Lincoln Navigator.

Generations

  • 1998–2002: the original, with a 5.4-litre V8.
  • 2003–2006: independent rear suspension and a more upscale interior.
  • 2007–2017: bolder styling, the long-wheelbase Navigator L, and a twin-turbo V6 from 2015.
  • 2018–2024: an aluminum body, a 450-hp twin-turbo V6, 30-way adjustable seats and a far more luxurious cabin. It was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2018.
  • 2025 onward: a new generation with a wide panoramic display and updated technology.

Why it matters

The Navigator proved that American luxury buyers wanted size, comfort and a commanding view of the road, and it helped transform Lincoln into a brand built around SUVs. Today, full-size luxury SUVs are the backbone of chauffeured fleets.