1999 Lincoln Navigator

'98 Lincoln NavigatorMiles accrued at a NASCAR pace over the summer as staffers used the Navigator on numerous family vacations, transporting the troops in leather-lined, living-room comfort. As winter approached, the Nav became relegated to commuter duty, and even that was somewhat discouraged to ensure enough miles were logged on our other vehicles. Consequently, the odometer hasn't been spinning like a slot machine as before. As an everyday vehicle, the Navigator seems huge, especially when transitioning from a subcompact. Great interior space and comfort spoils the front four riders, but the third row is destined to be the kids' realm. Staffers with small families have been inclined to leave the large, heavy, removable bench behind in the garage to increase the rear cargo space. Even so, we wish the second-row buckets folded flatter for hauling large items and wood. Performance under load is quite modest, leaving us jealous of the stronger DOHC powertrain in the pipeline for '99. Quibbles aside, the Navigator performed quite well under heavy usage, satisfying diverse needs with style and luxury.