Luxury veneer not enough to save Navigator (pictures)

The Lincoln Navigator competes with other luxury SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX. The Navigator is Lincoln's biggest and priciest model.

Although it sports a Lincoln-style grille, under the skin the Navigator is basically a Ford Expedition.

As an SUV, the Navigator features a high seating position and large windows, affording good visibility for passengers.

Unlike other big SUVs, the Navigator gets a V-6 engine instead of a V-8. But this V-6 uses turbochargers and direct injection to equal or exceed V-8 power.

At three tons and well over 17 feet long, the Navigator is a full-size SUV.

As a luxury touch, these running boards automatically lower when you open the doors, easing access to the cabin.

Although the Navigator can be optioned with an adaptive suspension, it doesn't quite mitigate less-than-luxury ride quality.

The base Navigator comes with rear-wheel drive, but a four-wheel-drive option is available.

Behind the third row seats, there is only 18.1 cubic feet of cargo area.

Puddle lights under the side mirrors show off the Lincoln logo.

Lincoln attempts to add some luxury elements to the Navigator's cabin, but it doesn't quite reach real luxury.

Leather-covered seats offer side bolstering and power adjustment.

The middle-row seats are a big narrow.

The third row seating is a typical bench, designed to be folded to maximize cargo space.

The MyLincoln Touch infotainment system comes standard in the Navigator.

Electric power steering gives good boost, and the Navigator exhibits a tight turning radius.

Part of the MyLincoln Touch interface is two LCDs on the instrument cluster, one on either side of the speedometer.

The left LCD includes controls for Lincoln Drive Control, which lets you choose different drive modes.

The six-speed automatic transmission includes two low ranges and a manual gear shift mode.

With the four-wheel-drive option, buttons let you select rear-wheel drive, four-wheel auto and four-wheel drive.

The rear-view camera and a blind-spot monitor system are the main driver assists on the Navigator.

The MyLincoln Touch interface is logically organized into quarters, but the touchscreen response is slow.

Maps show in plan or perspective views, but can be slow to fill in on the screen.

The destination screen shows typical input options, but lacks online destination search.

Travel Link, with data from satellite radio, shows fuel prices and movie times.

The hands-free phone system shows a useful interface, but voice command is handier.

Lincoln includes all of its audio sources, such as satellite radio and media, on one screen.

For onboard media sources, the interface shows this music library interface.

The play screen offers a shuffle button and the ability to find similar music.

An eight-speaker THX audio system creates good sound quality, but it isn't robust enough to really fill the cabin.

While the Lincoln Navigator shows some nice features, a high-trim Ford Expedition would be essentially the same.