Lincoln Navigator

This luxury version of the Ford Expedition, with a plusher, warmer interior, has a 5.4-liter V8 that isn't particularly smooth. The fully independent suspension and lower step-in height make cabin access easier than in the previous generation. The power-operated third-row seat folds flat into the floor. The cabin is quiet, and both ride and handling are commendable. The steering is responsive, and the ride supple. The center section of the 40/20/40 second-row seat slides forward so that parents can reach a child in the backseat more easily. Reliability since the 2003 redesign has been poor. A freshened Navigator will hit the market this fall, along with a longer version dubbed the Navigator L, which offers additional cargo room behind the third seat.