Best Car Reviews - 1998 Lincoln Navigator 4WD

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Introduction

The 1998 Lincoln Navigator 4WD was Lincoln’s first sport-utility vehicle and a defining early entry in the full-size luxury SUV market. Built for families, tow owners, and buyers wanting truck capability with a more upscale cabin, it combined three-row space, four-wheel drive, a V8 engine, and a notably generous standard-equipment list for its era.

Design and Exterior Features

New for 1998, the Navigator shared its fundamental body-on-frame architecture with the Ford Expedition but wore a far more formal Lincoln presentation. Its tall, squared-off silhouette, broad chrome grille, large glass area, running boards, roof rack, and substantial proportions gave it an unmistakably late-1990s luxury-SUV presence. The 4WD model was approximately 204.8 inches long and used a 119-inch wheelbase, making it a genuinely large vehicle rather than a car-based crossover.

Distinctive Lincoln grille and chrome exterior detailing
Standard alloy wheels, fog lamps, running boards, and roof rack
Four-door body with rear liftgate and privacy glass
Load-leveling air suspension for a level stance under passengers or cargo
Available trailer-towing equipment and tow hooks

Interior and Comfort

The Navigator aimed to make a large SUV feel more like a traditional Lincoln. Leather upholstery, wood-look trim, automatic climate control, power front seats, memory functions, and plentiful storage created a well-equipped environment. The standard second-row bucket-seat layout gave the cabin a more premium feel, while an available middle-row bench could increase capacity to eight occupants. The third row was useful for family duty, although access and space are less accommodating than in many modern three-row SUVs.

Leather seating and wood-trimmed interior accents
Seven-passenger layout standard, with available eight-passenger seating
Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory and lumbar adjustment
Automatic climate control and available auxiliary rear climate controls
Rear audio controls, headphone capability, cupholders, and multiple storage areas

Performance and Handling

Power comes from a 5.4-liter single-overhead-cam V8 producing 230 horsepower at 4,250 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. It uses regular gasoline and a four-speed automatic transmission. The Control Trac four-wheel-drive system offers 2WD, automatic 4WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low modes, giving the Navigator useful traction for snow, loose surfaces, boat ramps, and towing. Contemporary road testing recorded a 0-60 mph time of about 12.9 seconds, so this is a relaxed, torque-focused SUV rather than a quick one. Verified 4WD EPA estimates are 12 mpg city and 16 mpg highway, equivalent to approximately 19.6 and 14.7 L/100 km; fuel use is its major operating compromise.

5.4-liter V8 with 230 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque
Four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
Control Trac four-wheel drive with low-range capability
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Maximum towing ratings vary by equipment; properly equipped examples were rated for substantial trailer duty

Technology and Connectivity

Technology reflects the 1998 model year. The Navigator offered a premium AM/FM/cassette audio system, steering-wheel audio and climate controls, a trip computer, compass, keyless entry, and a garage-door opener. Available upgrades included a six-disc CD changer and a 290-watt audio system. It does not offer factory Bluetooth, smartphone integration, navigation, backup cameras, or modern connected services, so owners seeking these features will need carefully installed aftermarket solutions.

Premium AM/FM/cassette stereo system
Available six-disc CD changer and upgraded audio system
Steering-wheel-mounted audio and climate controls
Trip computer and compass display
Remote keyless entry and keypad entry system

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, rear child-safety locks, three-point outboard seat belts, and dynamic side-impact protection. Modern safety systems such as electronic stability control, traction control, side-curtain airbags, tire-pressure monitoring, parking sensors, and a rear camera were not available. A verified modern-style overall crash-test rating is not readily available for this specific 1998 Navigator 4WD, so buyers should avoid assuming it provides contemporary crash protection.

Driver and front-passenger airbags
Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
Rear door child-safety locks
Three-point outboard safety belts and third-row center belt
Brake-shift interlock and theft-deterrent system

Pricing and Variants

The 1998 Navigator was offered in base 4x2 and base 4x4 forms rather than a broad trim hierarchy. Period sources place the 4WD model’s base MSRP at approximately $42,660 to $42,960 before options, while the rear-wheel-drive version started lower at about $39,310. Key luxury-SUV alternatives included the 1998 Lexus LX 470, 1998 Land Rover Range Rover, 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser, and the newly introduced 1999 Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator’s appeal was strong standard luxury equipment, V8 torque, and expansive cabin space, while its fuel consumption and size were major tradeoffs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Classic full-size Lincoln luxury-SUV character and commanding road presence
Spacious three-row cabin with available seating for up to eight
Strong low-rpm V8 torque for towing and relaxed cruising
Useful Control Trac four-wheel-drive system with low range
High level of standard comfort and convenience equipment for its period

Cons

Very high fuel consumption by modern standards
Large dimensions make parking and tight urban driving difficult
Acceleration is modest for a heavy V8 luxury SUV
No modern driver-assistance, connectivity, or camera technology
Age-related suspension, electrical, and powertrain repairs can be expensive

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable, model-specific annual maintenance-cost estimate is not consistently available, and ownership costs depend heavily on condition, mileage, corrosion exposure, and previous repair history. Buyers should budget beyond routine oil, brake, tire, and fluid service because this is an older, complex full-size luxury SUV. Frequently reported concerns for this generation include leaking air-suspension springs or failing compressors, spark-plug thread failures in the 5.4-liter two-valve V8 cylinder heads, cracked plastic intake-manifold coolant crossovers, automatic-transmission or shift-control faults, and age-related four-wheel-drive, steering, or electrical faults. A pre-purchase inspection, service-record review, and VIN recall check are especially important.

Rating

Overall rating: 6.8/10. Design: 8.0/10 for its influential, handsome full-size luxury-SUV style. Comfort: 8.0/10 for seating, equipment, and highway composure. Performance: 6.5/10 because it has useful torque and four-wheel drive but modest acceleration and heavy fuel use. Technology: 4.5/10 by current expectations, despite being well equipped for 1998. Safety: 5.5/10 because ABS and dual airbags were valuable at the time, but modern active and side-impact protections are absent.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly centers on the Navigator’s comfort, presence, utility, and towing confidence, balanced against fuel costs and the need for diligent upkeep. Well-maintained examples can remain appealing as classic luxury SUVs, while neglected examples can quickly require major suspension or powertrain spending.

Owners often appreciate the spacious, comfortable leather-lined cabin
The V8 is generally valued for low-end torque and towing confidence
Many drivers enjoy the commanding seating position and distinctive styling
Fuel economy is a frequent and substantial complaint
Air suspension and age-related repairs are recurring ownership concerns

Best Cars in This Category

1998 Lexus LX 470
1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
1998 Land Rover Range Rover
1999 Cadillac Escalade
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML 320

Summary

The 1998 Lincoln Navigator 4WD is best suited to an enthusiast or family buyer who values period Lincoln luxury, genuine three-row utility, V8 towing ability, and four-wheel-drive capability more than fuel efficiency or modern technology. It remains an important early luxury SUV with considerable charm, but its value depends almost entirely on maintenance history. A thoroughly inspected example with a healthy air suspension, sound engine, functioning transmission, and documented service can be a distinctive classic; a poorly maintained one can become costly quickly.