It's got the power!

The Lincoln Navigator is a giant of an SUV. Its stance is imposing, and its looks are frightening. I loved it!

A proud, stable stance on standard 18-inch machined aluminium wheels or available 20-inch chrome wheels plants the vehicle to the road.

The statement of power begins with the bold chrome grille.
The horizontal and vertical lines of the grille are inspired by the Lincoln star, detailed with sharp, organised surfaces.

The precision detailing of the grille extends into the high-intensity-discharge (HID) projector headlamps. The lower grille carries through the theme, housing the integrated fog lamps.

The upper grille is carried into the chiselled chamfers that define the prominent "powerdome" hood, reinforcing the Navigator's imposing presence. It is really well-worked, a masterpiece, and actually the front alone carries the car (well, truck! Which is what the Navigator would be without that beautifully sculpted front end).

Open the door – and there's no way you can look over the roof, by the way – and the runningboards automatically lower themselves to offer a helpful step up into the cavernous interior.

It is like stepping into a lounge, or a hotel lobby – not only does the sheer immensity of the interior space hit you, but also the tastefulness of the décor. It sure is one beautiful vehicle!

The Lincoln Navigator offers the elegance of wood trim on the console and upper door panels. And I loved the in-seat cooling! That is really a nice touch and it made a big difference in local summer weather, especially on long highway runs.

The Lincoln is America's original full-size luxury SUV. It began production in 1998, and it continues to deliver uncompromising levels of luxury, capability and functionality.

Lincoln Navigator also offers a host of interior features and options that provide a high level of convenience and put it at the very forefront of the luxury SUV segment.

The Navigator is available with the industry's first THX II-Certified audio system designed by THX, a California company renowned for its movie theatre systems. The system uses a 12-channel amplifier to deliver 600 watts of power to a total of 14 speakers, including two subwoofers, strategically placed in the cabin.

Lincoln Navigator also has an available DVD entertainment system and two wireless headphones to keep the sound contained to the brains of the rear-seated fiends.

A newly available Rearview Camera System is mounted in the rear liftgate handle and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is elegantly displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror which, come to think of it, is an excellent place to put it, instead of down in the centre console like most others I've seen.

The standard 10-way power driver and front passenger seats are designed to comfortably accommodate a diverse group of occupants, from 4'10" to 6'5", from
41 kg to 136 kg.

Power-adjustable pedals and memory functions enable drivers to fine-tune their positions. The front seats also feature heating and cooling capability for the ultimate in comfort – another Lincoln hallmark.

Even Lincoln Navigator's seat frames are refined to improve comfort by eliminating the vibration from the floor. This premium seating extends to the available 40/20/40-split second row seat and 60/40-split third row, which effortlessly tumble to create a flat load floor.

With seating for up to eight, the Lincoln Navigator offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while Navigator L offers 42.7 cubic feet. With both the second- and third-row seats folded, the Lincoln Navigator can accommodate 103.5 cubic feet, while Navigator L offers a cavernous 128.2 cubic feet.
The second-row seats feature mechanisms that enable one-hand fold-and-tumble operation to access the third row. For increased visibility, the second-row head restraints fold forward 90 degrees to improve driver rear view.

Lincoln Navigator's third-row
seat folds flat into the floor for added cargo space. Its standard PowerFold third row offers 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space at the touch of a button.

A standard power liftgate provides even more convenience, and uses side-mounted pistons for improved rear visibility.
Power is provided by Lincoln Navigator's 5.4-litre, 3-valve V-8 engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, that generates 300 NET horsepower and 365 NET pound-feet of torque.

A wide-ratio, 6-speed transmission has smaller steps between gears than a typical 4-speed automatic and offers improved shift quality and faster acceleration. With a wide 6.02:1 gear ratio and two overdrive gears (fifth and sixth), the Lincoln Navigator's 6-speed offers a very smooth progression up to highway speeds.

Lincoln Navigator's safety system comes loaded with a comprehensive package of features, including standard AdvanceTrac with RSC, which utilises two gyroscopic roll rate sensors to enhance the vehicle's rollover resistance.

Additional standard safety features include dual-stage second-generation driver and front-passenger air bags that tailor deployment based on crash severity, safety belt usage and occupant size; three-row Safety Canopy side curtain air bags designed to activate in rollovers and side impacts for enhanced head protection; plus seat-mounted side
air bags for the first row and energy-absorbing knee bolsters and glove box for the front passenger.

All in all, the Lincoln Navigator dominates in all regards – it is massive and luxurious, and that puts it at the very top of the choice line for a buyer considering a first-class SUV.

Paolo Rossetti is a freelance writer based in Al Ain