2009 Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln’s luxury SUV, the Navigator, carries over from 2008 with two trims, the standard and the L, each available with two- or four-wheel drive. You might mistake the Navigator for its cousin, the Expedition, unless you're looking at it from the front. The front grille features a bold and lavish chrome design, signifying the Navigator as the richer and more ostentatious of the two.

Where the Navigator falls short though, seems to be in power. Its 5.4-liter, 310-hp V8 engine may be ample for a smaller vehicle, but many reviews have given it poor marks on acceleration and power. The standard transmission for all trims is a six-speed automatic with overdrive that achieves 13/18 mpg (city/highway). Four-wheel-drive trims boast a flex fuel engine that will run on gasoline blends containing up to 85% ethanol.

The L trim adds 14.7 inches to the standard Navigator, with the extra room going to the third row of seats and rear cargo area, creating an even more spacious interior with 25 cubic feet of extra room. In 2009, the front and second row of seats come standard with automatic heating and cooling. The sound system follows the theme of grandeur with a 600-watt 14-speaker system with a 6-CD in-dash changer, standard in all trims. The L also adds more soundproofing material in 2009 to bring a quieter, more relaxed ride.

The extra niceties of the Navigator come in options packages. The Elite package adds a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system, an 8-inch DVD screen for rear passengers, a reverse camera mounted in the rearview mirror, and a power moonroof. The Limited “Monochrome” Edition package adds leather seating, ebony wood trim, and a limited chrome grille.

Both trims ride on a new frame and fully independent suspension in 2009. The towing capacity is 8,800 pounds for the standard trim and 9,050 for the L, admirable for a luxury SUV, but still shy of the less expensive Suburban's capacity (9,700 lbs).

Safety features for the Navigator are comprised of dual front airbags and curtain airbags that go from the first to the third row, antilock brakes, and traction and stability control.

By Ollie Garrison