2000 Lincoln Navigator Base

The Lincoln Navigator has enjoyed popularity in the full-sized luxury SUV category. Its main competitor is the Cadillac Escalade, but it also competes with the GMC Yukon, the Chevy Tahoe, and its relative the Ford Expedition. Well, the popularity of the 2000 Navigator's 2WD trim proved that a great many people will spend for a hefty SUV that they won't call upon to leave the pavement.

This huge vehicle is said to be aimed at those who want the functionality of an SUV without doing without luxury, but the truth seems to be that it won its popularity from a segment of buyers who want sheer size more than they want to go off-road.

Of course, many buyers need such a vehicle for towing, and - as is the norm - the Navigator 2WD can pull or carry a bit more than its 4WD counterpart. Its towing capacity is 8,900 pounds (vs. the 4WD's 8,100 pounds) and its payload capacity is 1685 pounds. The 2WD has a curb weight of 5,393 pounds.

All of that towing power comes from a 32-valve, 5.4-liter V8 that puts out 300 horsepower and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. It was paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, and 4-wheel antilock disc brakes are there to bring it all to a stop.

The 2000 Navigator saw some new standard equipment: side-impact air bags and a driver's-side assist handle, plus leather covering for the console between the second row's two bucket seats. The LATCH system was added to the third row, a removable bench seat that can seat three. New body cladding in the form of bright sill plates above larger running boards was added and 17-inch wheels were made standard.

Power-adjustable pedals with a three-inch range came standard; a two-position memory function was included. Other useful amenities included are the automatic parking brake release and front-seat power-lumbar adjustment, which a few critics found to be a bit too stiff.

In online reviews, owners of this SUV mostly wrote of their satisfaction with their choice, specifically mentioning its spaciousness and stylish looks. Many considered it the pinnacle of luxury, although some who'd driven competitors' full-sized SUVs (especially the Lexus and Cadillac offerings) felt otherwise.

Without question the number-one drawback was the Navigator's huge fuel consumption, although buyers were well aware of the guzzling factor before they bought, and some in fact seemed almost proud of the amount they spent at the gas station.