Our view: 2003 Lincoln Navigator

A quick question one needs to ponder when living large means XXXL, when Tiffany meets the tailpipe and when Armani melds with acceleration: When is enough simply too much?

When the 2003 Lincoln Navigator rolls into town, rolls over you and leaves the image of a dollar bill imprinted on your spine.

We have met the mother of all luxury rides. To no one’s surprise, it’s brought to you by Lincoln. To some people’s surprise, it’s grown . . . and grown . . . and grown!

The million-dollar secret? Large sells.

Lincoln knew exactly what it was doing when it revamped its Navigator for ’03 by adding some extra beef and a few more gadgets. Almost a million extra-large units (full-size SUVs weighing more than 2.5 tons) rolled off U.S. assembly lines last year. That’s big business. And it was even bigger news when the Lincoln brass decided an overhaul was in order for the vehicle that first put the word luxury in sport-ute.

Since its launch . . . er, stomp on the scene five years ago, the Navigator has won a place in the hearts of the luxo-buying public. It is rolling capitalism. It is rolling thunder. Those who enjoyed the ambiance of a symphony sound system, the airiness of three-row seating and the power of pure tonnage under their high heels, could relate to the Navigator.

Get ready to really appreciate it.

From any point on the road, the new Navigator doesn’t ooze luxo truck, it demands it. From the power running boards on the Ultimate package that automatically swivel out when you open any door (very cool) to the American walnut, soft leather and satin nickel finish, the Navigator breathes quality and class.

And although the exterior is essentially unchanged – same trademark waterfall grille, same profile, same huge dimensions – its the other large elements that stand out. Like 460 more pounds over the ’99 model that make it a beast of burden to, well, navigate.

And that’s where our beef comes in regarding the . . . beef.

As much as Lincoln has mechanically upgraded the 6,260-pound Navigator to improve acceleration, handling, steering feel and even stopping power, it still left me feeling like a tank operator. OK, a really plush tank operator.

Too much rock. Too much roll. Too much of too much.

Simply put, the problem with the ’03 model: Navigation.

Turn a corner in the completely redesigned, second-generation Lincoln and you better make sure you follow. Take a four-lane road with the Navigator and better make sure you don’t crush the Camry that’s meekly trying the execute that left-hand turn next to you.

Your average roadway takes on a very European feel – instantly cramped, very crowded. And tight executions become too hard to execute. And if that’s what you’re after (and with Lincoln having spawned a generation of competitors, clearly there are many out there), in more than one way you’ll have arrived.

Nothing has been skimped.

Utility? An optional third-ro w seat is as comfortable as it is easy to get to. Like the other chairs in the cabin, the third row is firm and supportive, a lumbar supreme with more extras than a Hollywood film.

Each of the first two rows of seats comes equipped with multi-cupholders, height-adjustable shoulder-belt anchors, a storage bin fit for a laptop and separate controls for audio and climate comfort.

Lincoln also did a good job of making its seven-seater cabin an exercise in user-friendly options. The new, independent rear suspension chassis means normal seating positions throughout the cabin – a big plus when you are forcing those wealthy clients to the back row. Watch headroom and legroom with three adults in the rear, but the fold-down and fold-forward second-row seats at least make the passageway clear.

And if you don’t want people there, but like cargo, the Navigator allows the rear seat to fold into the floor – electronically! Push a button and down it goes, opening up more than 50 cubic feet of space. That means it will fit a mountain bike with still room for three to roll. The liftgate is even powered.

Luxury? You’ve come to the right place.

The Navigator, with its new interior setup and very un-Lincoln look, make it a winner in the all-important aesthetics category. The revamped dash is a treat – red gauges on a black background and a set of controls that is entirely unique for this model, including a flip-down silver cover that hides the center controls quite nicely. And there are enough metallic, modern buttons, switches, dials and knobs to keep any 50-something kid entertained. (Or did we mean NBA star?)

All is good. We just wish the ride wasn’t so unwieldy.

Despite the fact Lincoln has tuned the underpinnings to provide more stiffness, less float and more feel, the Navigator is still just too large. And there’s no getting around that. That means you still feel like you sank into a rather large hole with a rather large vehicle. And it means that despite 300 horsepower, a 5.4-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 and a torque increase of 20 pound-feet to 355, the Navigator suffers from being itself. It feels heavy. Trucklike. And more sluggish than its chief rival, the Cadillac Escalade.

And all the luxury in the world can’t hide a gas tank that looks like it’s got a hole in the floor. We’re talking 11 mpg in the city and a whopping 16 on the highway.

Hold onto your wallet. (And we haven’t even mentioned price yet.)

Bare bones (is there such a thing?), the 2003 Navigator lumbers in at $48,775. Souped up, it’s into the mid-60s.

That’s a chunk of change to pay for XXL.

But then when has size mattered this much.

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR – SPECS

Rating: 2.5

High gear: Lincoln’s revamped SUV is super-sized in interior comfort, utility, cargo space and electro-gadget wizardry. Seven people will be hard pressed to find a more luxurious ride.

Low gear: The ride is still trucklike and cumbersome, a tank with heated seats. It’s also a thirsty ride that demands frequent trips to the gas line and a careful execution down narrow streets.

Vehicle type: Four-wheel drive, front engine, five door, seven-passenger sport utility vehicle.

Standard equipment: Power steering, windows, seats and locks; A/C; cruise control; tilt steering; rear wiper; four-wheel drive ($3,550); Ultimate Package ($2,625) includes power liftgate, power-folding third-row seats, heated and cooled power front seats); navigation system ($1,995); power moonroof ($1,495); power running boards ($925); 18-inch chrome wheels ($675).

Competition: Mercedes-Benz ML500, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX470

Engine: 300 horsepower, 5.4-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8

Torque: 355 foot-lbs. @ 2,750 rpm

Wheelbase: 118.8 inches

Length: 206 inches

MPG rating: 11 mpg city/16 mpg highway

Manufactured: Wayne, Mich.

Warranty: Basic warranty is f our years/50,000 miles; powertrain warranty is four years/50,000 miles; rust perforation warranty is five years/unlimited miles; roadside assistance is four years/50,000 miles.

Base price: $48,775

Price as tested (includes options, destination and delivery charges): $60,040