1999 Lincoln Navigator...Continued

Handling: It's always amazing how easy it is to handle great, big sport utilities. The Navigator is no exception. It is much like driving a great, big car. But that's part of the problem. Sport utility vehicles tend to make one feel invincible, and that is not true. For one thing, they have a tendency to roll over. Recently the government decided to address that issue by upgrading the roll-over warning label on SUVs to something a bit more eye-catching. Hopefully, the bright label, which includes an illustration of a vehicle leaning to one side on two wheels, and the placement of the label on the sun visor or driver side window will elicit a responsible response.

Ride: Riding in a Navigator is a lot like riding in a luxury car. It's soft and cushy, not at all truck-like. It's quiet, too. No irritating noise to distract from pleasant social conversation and scenic enjoyment.

Brakes: It is important to be able to make quick stops when driving a large vehicle. Thanks to four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock system for inclement and extraordinary braking situations, this is possible in the Navigator.

Fit And Finish: While the fit and finish befits a queen of the road (or mall), it appears the Navigator is also fit for a Governor. The Lincoln SUV is the official Gov-mobile of Minnesota's reigning head of state, Jesse Ventura, who was elected to the governorship last fall.

What We Liked Most: The privileged feeling that comes with driving a powerful, expensive, luxurious truck is a heady trip for a journalist with champagne taste and a wine-in-a-screw-top-bottle budget.

What We Caution You About: The price of this vehicle starts in the $40,000 range. Add a few upgrades and you've got a pretty pricey, albeit luxurious, truck.

Overall Impression: There's a theory that we all become our parents as life goes on, and that seems to be happening to "baby boomers" now. While their parents might have chosen the Lincoln Town Car, the aging off-spring is more likely to choose a vehicle with a "hipper" image. The Lincoln Navigator fits this image and also fits the wider body boomers have acquired with age.

Major Competition: Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX 470