2008 Lincoln Navigator

For 2008, several comfort and convenience features that were extras are now standard, including a power liftgate, heated and cooled seats, Sirius satellite radio, a 14-speaker THX surround-sound audio system, and PowerFold third-row seats. A new rearview camera system is also available, although one would think a 17-foot long SUV merits more than a tiny, two-inch screen display packed into the rear-view mirror.

The Lincoln Navigator's expressive design brings a unique elegance and an unrivaled presence to the full-size luxury-utility segment.

Lincoln Navigator charts its own path, offering confident ride and handling, outstanding comfort and craftsmanship, and class-leading capability.

The Lincoln Navigator profile is defined by clean, sheer, tapered surfaces.

Lincoln Navigator offers a confident, refined driving experience commensurate with a luxury vehicle.

The Lincoln Navigator is roomy and luxurious. It's capable of towing nearly 9,000 pounds, but it's soft and smooth on the roughest of pavement. It's big and roomy, with a full-size third-row seat, seating for up to eight passengers, and acres of cargo space.

The Navigator's standard safety features meet the luxury-class baseline.

The Navigator is a truck. It's built on a pickup-style ladder frame, with a separate body bolted to that frame, rather than welded into one unit. But unlike most truck-based vehicles, the Navigator features a fully independent rear suspension, which tends to promote smoother ride and handling than the solid rear axle on the typical truck.

Bottom line, the Navigator rides comfortably and handles competently in nearly every situation. Just don't try to get racy. This vehicle is a lot of mass to move, and in quick, hard, left-right turns, all that weight wants to sway in the direction opposite of your choosing.

The 2008 Lincoln Navigator hits the most important marks for a full-size sport-utility vehicle. It's relatively smooth, quiet and huge both inside and out. It comes equipped with lots of safety features and nearly all the luxury bells and whistles. The Navigator's tow rating is among the highest in the class, and it runs on regular gasoline where nearly all others require premium. The base price is lower than most of its competitors, before dealer incentives, but its sister vehicle, the Ford Expedition, can be equipped with almost as much luxury at a considerably lower price. Some will find Navigator bland. Those who regularly transport lots of passengers and stuff, and those who tow heavy loads, should find it worthy.