2003 Lincoln Navigator 5.4L V8 4AT AWD (305 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After a successful start with the first generation of the Navigator in 1997, the American luxury car maker quickly replaced that model with a new one in 2003, and the changes were massive.

In the spring of 2002, Lincoln launched the second generation of the Navigator. The luxurious SUV tried to keep an edge over its main competitor, the Cadillac Escalade, offering customers an enhanced interior covered in acres of leather. Even though the big and heavy vehicle was based on the same platform as the Ford Expedition, it featured unique amenities, including a self-leveling air suspension in the back or a power liftgate, which was unique for an SUV.

At the front, the 2003 Lincoln Navigator boasted an impressive fascia dominated by the cascade grille with its vertical chromed slats. This was even broader than the previous generation and was flanked by taller headlamps with corner-mounted blinkers. All three grades featured the same body-colored front bumper with integrated round fog lamps. In addition, the automaker added a plastic trim on the lower side that mimicked a rock slider.

Lincoln offered the 2003 Navigator in three grades: Premium, Luxury, and Ultimate. Depending on the trim level, the car could sport various standard or optional exterior features. For the top-of-the-range version, the SUV featured running boards that extended upon entering or exiting the vehicle, and they were retracted while driving. A set of plastic trims covered the lower side of the doors, creating the impression of a vehicle with a higher ground clearance. Regardless of the grade, all versions came fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels. Later, the automaker added 18-inch sets across the range. At the back, the rectangular-shaped taillights were stretched from the quarter panels onto the tailgate, improving the vehicle’s upscale look. The wrapped-around plastic rear bumper featured a cap that covered the center-mounted towing hook, so customers could use it only when it was needed and preserve the overall aesthetic of the SUV when it wasn’t.

However, the most significant upgrades for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator over its predecessor were found inside the cabin. While the 1998 model year came with a dashboard borrowed from the Ford Expedition, the second generation of the luxurious SUV came with its unique one. Fronting the driver was a rectangular-shaped instrument cluster with shaved corners featuring just four dials. The automaker placed the large speedometer in the middle, flanked on the left by the tachometer and on the right by the fuel level and the temperature gauges. The dials for the ammeter and oil pressure were gone. The three-row SUV featured leather-covered seats and an overhead console mounted on the headliner that included the DVD, reading lights, and a storage bin. In the back, customers had the option to get the vehicle with either a bench seat for three or captain chairs. The rearmost row of seats benefited from generous legroom and headroom. Furthermore, the third row could be power-operated to lower or rise via two buttons placed in the trunk area, transforming the vehicle from a people carrier into a hauler in a few seconds.

Under its skin, the 2003 Lincoln Navigator relied on an enhanced version of the platform used by the Ford Expedition. Its four-wheel independent suspension ensured a comfortable ride for all passengers. Furthermore, the air suspension in the back smoothened things out even more. Thanks to the available electronically controlled 4WD system featuring a low-range transfer box, the big SUV wasn’t scared to leave the paved roads. The 5.4-liter powerplant developed 300 hp (304 PS) and was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. However, the automaker replaced that one with a six-speed automatic gearbox in 2005 for the 2006 model year, improving performance and lowering fuel consumption.