REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Turning back the clock

Lincoln has taught etiquette to the rough-and-ready Ford Expedition, decking it out in regal style and giving it a fancy new name, the Navigator. An old familiar recipe, you say? No question, but it works! Proof: 60% of Navigator buyers are people who had never gone to a Lincoln dealership in the past. But the make’s executives have another reason to be proud: over a period of several months, the advent of the Navigator made it possible for Lincoln to unseat its eternal rival, Cadillac, in the sales race. With the new Escalade on the scene, will Lincoln be able to hold onto its competitive edge?One thing is sure, the Navigator doesn’t fail to make a strong visual impression. To get to its throne (sorry, I mean passenger compartment), just hop onto the lighted step. It ’ s been redesigned this year, so don ’ t overlook it.

Magnificent leather seats await you in a warm ambiance created by an 18-ounce carpet and polished inlays. Lincoln invites up to eight passengers into the Navigator’s decor; but let’s be honest, access to the rear seat (don’t forget there’s another one in the middle) takes the talent of a skilled contortionist, not to mention the fact that the seatback is perfectly vertical and absolutely uncomfortable. It’s easy to sacrifice this seat (especially now that it features smaller casters) to add to the vehicle’s very limited cargo space.Intent on avoiding the embarrassment of being left in the competition’s dust at traffic lights, the Navigator teams its 5.4-litre V8 with 32 valves and a DOHC, bringing the power level to 300 horses and 360 pound-feet of torque. This is the only powertrain allowed aboard the Navigator this year. Given the vehicle’s weight, the power increase is an excellent move. Acceleration and pick-up are now well within the acceptable range. Another strong point is the perfect work accomplished by the automatic transmission. Choices? Buyers have one and only one decision to make: two-wheel or four- wheel drive. The latter option is the most popular, not so much because of its off-road capabilities (an area where the expensive Land Rover is king), but because of its stability on slippery roads. Things to remember when it comes to the Navigator: high gas consumption (the oil companies will be thrilled), a rear suspension that has trouble handling bumpy roads and a size that makes you think twice before taking it out on the town. On the subject of size, it ’ s worth paying extra for the reverse sensing system, that way you ’ ll be able to park without having to hear the sound of crushing metal from the car parked behind you.

At the risk of breaking a few sensitive hearts, the Navigator is a much better choice than the Escalade and the Denali. We can at least agree on that, can’t we? For one more year, anyway!

PROS
Improved performance capabilities
Detailed equipment
Easier access to rear seats

CONS
Spectacular size
Outrageous fuel consumption
Skittish rear suspension

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * * *
Passenger: no data

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