In order to truly be the Ultimate, an SUV must have four-wheel drive. The Navigator Ultimate 4x4 has that and a ton more. It was equipped with many plush amenities, highlighted by power-deployable running boards, which had been seen before on motor homes but not on a passenger vehicle.

Speaking of passengers, the Navigator Ultimate 4WD can carry up to eight, thanks to a nice third-row seat that folds and opens at the touch of a button. The second row came as two captain's chairs with a console between them (like the front row), but buyers were free to order a split-folding second-row seat instead at no added cost.

The Control Trac 4x4 system was made with an automatic four-wheel drive setting as well as the expected 2 High, 4 High, and 4 Low. The SUV's 300-horsepower V8 puts out 355 lb.-ft. of torque, and this full-sized 4x4 could pull up to 8,300 pounds.

Some of the other standard features on the Ultimate trims were the heated and cooled front seats (leather, of course), high-intensity headlights, and electronic stability control. Its interior was made to please the eye, with burled wood and satin-nickel accents. Optional equipment on this posh set of wheels consisted of upgraded chrome wheels, a DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, and a trailer-tow package.