Let’s think back to 2003.What premium SUVs and parkettes from the 2005 Lincoln Navigatro era can you name? In 2002, the third generation Range Rover L322 came out. Terrific, luxurious car with excellent off-road ability and history, but can it be called a full-size by American standards? The G-Class from Mercedes and the X5 E53 from BMW have been around for a long time. In the first case, it is 100-percent SUV, with not so spacious interior. In the second – a purely highway crossover with excellent, driving qualities on asphalt and with not so spacious interior. All of these cars are good, but they didn’t deliver what the Navigator buyer wanted.
What car at the time could be considered a full-size SUV with three rows of seats? At the same time have the equipment and comfort approaching to the sedans of the executive class and could be used as a tractor? From the imported analogues of those years, the closest was Lexus LX 470 of the second generation. However, it could not equal Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade in sizes, capacity and draught of the engine, and the main thing under charisma. Only in 2006, Mercedes introduced its GL-Class, which was the answer to smart, full-size SUVs from the USA.
2005 Lincoln Navigator is the second generation of this model. It was produced from 2003 to 2006, just three years. In 2005 was made restyling, during which the car received a new engine, though its maximum capacity and volume have not changed. Also a new gearbox has been introduced.
Navigator is somewhat inferior to Escalade in terms of power, but had a fully independent suspension and fairly accurate, steering. Concerning the power, there is an opinion that Lincoln just thought that 300 horsepower is already a decent figure for a car of such class. For comparison, Lexus LX produced 230 hp. The aforementioned Range Rover had good power ratings, but no production SUV, not even Cadillac, could match Lincoln’s ability to tow a heavy trailer. The second generation Navigator could haul an 8,600 pound (3,900 kg) trailer. Let us not forget that similar vehicles were occasionally used as a tractor-trailer, so it is very important indicator.
Compared to the previous generation, the second-generation Navigator is quieter, a little stiffer, and received a sharper steering wheel. Undoubtedly – Navigator and Escalade shared the title of the most chic and well-equipped SUV in the United States. Interestingly, the development of the second generation lasted only 23 months. At the same time, the car has received noticeable, technical innovations. As before, the Navigator was produced on the Expedition platform.
Sales and Price 2005 Lincoln Navigator.
The base Navigator with only rear-wheel drive could be bought for $50,660. The all-wheel drive version cost $4,000 more. The new SUVs came with a four-year warranty, or 50,000 miles on the road. Today, it is possible to buy a Navigator with some defects for $4,000. Good condition cars usually cost $8,000 to $12,000. For that amount, units with 100,000 to 150,000 miles on the road are sold.
Appearance and photos.
Compared with the first generation, the headlights of the 2003 Navigator became noticeably higher. The headlights are the easiest way to distinguish the car of the second generation. Before the restyling the fog lights in the front bumper had a round shape, but after the restyling of 2005 the fog lights became rectangular.
The 2005 Lincoln Navigator was a frame car. Neither the frame nor the engine has no part numbers, which is typical for American cars. An important element in the Navigator’s appearance was the optional, retractable running boards. If I remember correctly – at that time only American SUVs were equipped with such equipment.
With a body length of 5232 mm (which is more than the Lexus LX), the wheelbase was 3018 mm. Curb weight is 205kg. This is an impressive weight, even despite the fact that the hood and trunk lid were made of aluminum.
The base version of the Navigator was fitted with 255/70 R18 tires. On the original, chrome-plated rims, one could see a cap with the Lincoln inscription, which covered the wheel bolts. Many owners put 22-diameter rims on their SUVs. And even with these, large wheels, the Navigator remains a very comfortable car. On the front doors you can see the inscription – Navigator. It seems to serve as a reminder that this is not a Ford – in case someone didn’t see the car from the front. Roof rails increase the versatility and can serve as a platform for an extra box. The latter may not be superfluous if seven people are gathered for a long trip and all three rows of seats are unfolded.
In the rear bumper you can notice the sensors of parktronic. The towing device is covered by a special panel in the bumper. The spare wheel is hidden under the bottom.
On the bottom trim of the side window you can see the buttons, the code lock, which allows you to enter the car without a key.
Interior and equipment.
Opening the door you understand that this is a premium SUV. In addition to the fact that when you open the door – extends the footrest, the threshold of the doorway is decorated with a metal overlay – Lincoln. The interior has lots of leather and real walnut wood. In addition to the size, the handles on the front roof pillars remind that it is an SUV – you can grab them when getting into the car.
The steering wheel is adjustable only in angle, but there is an electric adjustment of the pedals. That in itself was not a novelty, but an evidence of the high class of the car. The same can be said about the ventilation of the seats.
Thanks to the optitronic dashboard, the instruments were visible only when the ignition key was turned to the first position. At the same time, the multimedia screen, which was touch-screen, displayed the inscription – Lincoln. When this screen is covered with a plastic panel, – you can see the Navigator inscription on it. The CD changer of this Lincoln held six discs. At the top of the front panel is an analog clock with Lincoln lettering on it. The front panel itself is symmetrical – you can tell just from the photo. They say that stylistically, the front fascia of this Navigator is reminiscent of the Continental of the ’60s.
In 2003, this car was equipped with voice-activated multimedia controls. And at the time it was an innovation. All seats are electrically operated – this also applies to the third-row seats.
To the right of the steering wheel you can notice a plastic switch for the transmission modes, – 2H, A4WD, 4H, 4L. It is noteworthy that the gearbox lever was moved to the transmission tunnel, between the front seats. This could be considered a major innovation for the time. The car could be equipped with double-pane windows – which are more common on executive sedans. The steering wheel took slightly less than three turns from stop to stop.
Many of those who first found themselves behind the wheel of the second-generation Navigator note how well the car responds to the gas pedal in the beginning.
The left side mirror is usual, flat. The right mirror has a convex shape – it was made to reduce the blind spot. Such mirror somewhat removes objects and a warning about it is put on the mirror – “the object in the mirror is closer than it seems”.
As well as on other Ford SUVs, the air ducts are located simply in ceiling panelling. But unlike Ford, Lincoln’s rear trunk lid can be opened simply with a button on the key fob. The third-row seats can be electrically folded and unfolded. The side mirrors in the third-row area can be extended outward, also electrically. According to owners’ reviews, the shaking in the cabin is felt most strongly on the third row, and least of all on the first row. Also according to some owners and reviewers, the second row is not so roomy here, considering dimensions of the car. Probably it is connected with the necessity of space allocation for the third row of seats. There could be installed a monitor under the ceiling, above the second row. Now it looks like an anachronism, but in the first half of the noughties it was an expensive option, not available to most other cars.
Engine and Specifications 2005 Lincoln Navigator.
Initially, the second generation Navigator was equipped with a V8 5.4L InTech engine. This unit is equipped with four valves per cylinder and went to a new car he first generation Navigator.
Maximum power of 300 hp was reached at 5000 rpm, and a maximum of 481Nm was available at 2750 rpm. This engine was coupled to a four speed automatic transmission. The gear ratio of the main gear was 3.73:1.
With InTech engine Lincoln could reach 100 km in 10.3 seconds. ΒΌ mile such SUV could go 17.6 seconds with exit speed of 82 miles. By today’s standards, such acceleration figures are not impressive, but 20 years ago it was fast. Not many SUVs were faster.
In 2005, there was a new Triton engine. With the same displacement, it also had a chain drive timing, but had three valves per cylinder. Maximum power was 304 hp, maximum torque – 495 Nm. A new six speed automatic transmission was added to the engine. The new gearbox has improved fuel economy.
According to the reviews the Triton engines have some problems with the spark plugs. Perhaps this is simply due to a defect in the spark plugs themselves.
By the way – the hood opening lever is not in the middle of the radiator grille, but above the right headlight. This solution, though not new to Lincoln, was misleading to some reviewers.
Front, the brake discs on the Lincoln were the largest in class. The automatic transmission filter was one piece with the plastic sump and needed to be replaced periodically. The Navigator was equipped with a rear limited slip differential for better off-road performance.
The Navigator is equipped with air suspension. Interestingly, it is battery-powered and monitors the body’s position even when the engine is not running. When you turn on a downshift, the body automatically rises by 4cm. When you reach 40km per hour, the body is lowered – obviously for better handling. When the ignition is turned off, the car lowers 25mm to make it easier for the owner to leave their Navigator.
From the factory, and these cars were assembled in Michigan, the Lincoln was equipped with Bilstein gas-filled shock absorbers.
During its production years, it was one of the most luxurious SUVs in the world. This car could be used not only as an executive sedan, but also as a tractor-trailer, or a seven-seat minivan, which the European SUVs of that time could not afford.
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