Once the swank-mobile of choice for the Beautiful (and wealthy) People, the 2010 Lincoln Navigator has lately become a symbol of crass ostentation. This doesn’t mean, however, that the Navigator is any less luxurious or impressive, with a plethora of chrome, leather, wood, satin nickel, electronic gizmos, power accessories, and sheer luxury continuing the Lincoln tradition of overstated opulence.

Basically unchanged since a significant re-design for 2009, the five-door, seven-passenger 2010 Lincoln Navigator full-size SUV is available in two trims, the Navigator Base and Navigator L, with unique badging, as well as leather, chrome levels, and available options being the essential distinguishing features. Each trim is offered with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and each offers more than 130 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded.

The sole powerplant available in the 2010 Lincoln Navigator is a recently tweaked 5.4-liter SOHC Flex Fuel V8 that offers variable valve timing and is capable of burning E85-ethanol fuel or regular unleaded gas. The 5.4-liter V8 puts out 310 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque and is harnessed to an overdrive-equipped six-speed automatic transmission. This combination is good to tow some 9,000 pounds of trailer when the Heavy-Duty Towing Package is opted for, and is rated by the EPA at 14/20 mpg in the RWD configuration.

As expected with the Lincoln name, standard luxury features abound on and in the 2010 Lincoln Navigator, beginning with 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a chrome-sided roof rack, and power-retracting step-running boards (on the Navigator L). Leather, heated, ten-way power-adjustable front bucket seats, reclining second-row bucket seats, a power liftgate, power accessories, including heated outside mirrors and pedals, memory selections for seats, steering wheel, and mirrors, remote keyless entry, a universal remote garage door opener, power-folding third-row seating, a rear-view backup camera, and a SYNC-integrated communications and audio entertainment system featuring a 6-CD changer with five speakers are only a sampling of the 2010 Navigator’s standard interior equipment.

Options for the 2010 Lincoln Navigator include a power moonroof, touch-screen DVD navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment, a load-leveling rear suspension with Class III/IV trailer towing package (standard on the Navigator L 4WD), and 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels.

Standard safety features are not overlooked for the 2010 Lincoln Navigator, including four-wheel disc ABS, traction and stability control (ESC) with rollover detection, dual front side-mounted airbags, three-row head curtain airbags, a post-collision safety system, front fog/driving lights, and forward sensors for parking assistance.

The 2009 Lincoln Navigator has owners divided regarding its exterior styling, with some approving, and some not so much. Mileage is a downer for those owning the ’09 Navigator, as is a poor sound system, wind noise, and a lack of serious giddy-up. On the positive side, the wealth of power accessories, SYNC audio-integrated hands-free communications system, ride quality, and overall comfort and spaciousness has owners feeling satisfied, overall, with their choice of the ’09 Lincoln Navigator.