If the best in life is good enough for you, then you’re probably a candidate for ownership of a Navigator. In the Holiday Rambler line of motorcoaches, this is as good as it gets. And let me tell you, it’s pretty darn good. In fact, from year to year, I am amazed and befuddled as the design team and the engineers come up with new ways to improve this coach. But they do. As far as I’m concerned, the Navigator long ago reached a level of competence, convenience and comfort that other coaches can only covet. Still, each year it gets even better.

The 2006 models are now being prepared for release to the public, and I had the happy experience of being among the first to see the next generation Navigator and review its new features. My, oh my, what a coach! It’s stronger, bigger, better, prettier and more feature-laden than ever before.

To begin with, there’s a new chassis to serve as a powerful foundation. It’s the lightweight Roadmaster S-Series semi monocoque chassis. But don’t misconstrue the term “lightweight” to mean that it isn’t as strong as before. Actually, the ratings for the new Navigator have gone up — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is now 48,160 pounds, up from last year’s 47,600 pound rating. And the Gross Combined Weight Rating is now at 58,160 pounds, also up from prior years. The increase came about due to a higher front axle weight rating that went from last year’s 14,600 pounds to 15,160 pounds.

As part of the new chassis, there is now a Series 6 ABS braking system to keep everything straight and smooth while stopping, even when highway traction isn’t at its best. And, of course, there’s still the dependable Traction Control System at work to help the driver keep the coach under control. In fact, one of the things I like most about the Navigator is how it drives. My attitude is that no matter how fluffy and nice a coach is on the inside, and no matter how pretty it is on the outside, if it doesn’t drive well I’m not going to like it. Ride, handling, control, confidence and comfort behind the wheel — those are the important items on my personal list. And the Navigator, on the Roadmaster chassis suspension system with its outboard configuration of 10 airbags and 10 shock absorbers is absolutely a pleasure to drive. You steer, it obeys, cornering flat and predictable, unfazed by high-flying 18-wheelers or nasty crosswinds. Tickle the throttle, it goes — touch the brakes, it stops. Simple. I love it.

The “go power” for the Navigator is a 500-horsepower turbocharged Cummins diesel engine that is linked to a 4000MH Allison 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s a combination that can’t be beat for strength and reliability.

All around the outside of the 2006 Navigator there are new innovations. Just look at the baggage compartment doors, for example. Somebody was thinking of ways to make it easier to get into those cavernous basement storage bins. The design was changed so that all the doors are now side-hinged and the handles were moved up into the corner so you don’t have to bend over to grab the latch. A nice touch.

Exterior styling has undergone a lot of changes, in part owing to the collaborative effort between Holiday Rambler and the renowned German automotive design team at Porsche. That endeavor resulted in sleekly restyled front and rear caps and a unique headlight/taillight treatment. Up front, as part of the facelift, there are new windshield wipers and projector headlights, and attention was given to the slide-out generator door gap to make it more precise and to match the gap around the engine door in the rear. That may sound like a small detail, but it’s indicative of the kind of consideration that went into developing the 2006 Navigator.

All the exterior lights have been changed — clearance lights are now brighter and less energy consuming LEDs, a new center brake light has been added as well as turn indicators and side indicators. Out back, there’s a new two-piece rear ladder that can be disassembled and stowed in special clips in one of the storage bays. The service bay, now called the Super Service Center, has been fully redesigned with a stainless steel face. And when it comes to the biggest new styling feature of all, owners can choose from among eight brand new full body paint schemes, with two color options for each of the four different decor packages.

Well, now let’s step inside so I can show you all the new goodies that make life so much better than ever before. One of the first things I noticed after climbing the steps was the new ceiling treatment; a dazzling sculpture of mirrors, halogen lights and soft upholstery arranged of mirrors, halogen lights and soft upholstery arranged in a curvaceous form that hints of modern interior architecture. And beneath my feet, the floor transformed from the polished tile entryway to the sculpted carpet that stretches wall to wall in the living room. The tile treatment picks up again in the kitchen/dinette area, and covers the full span beneath the dinette slide then down the hallway and through the bathroom suite. And this isn’t just any old tile — it’s a glistening polished 12-inch residential tile with an artistic look. In the master bedroom, the tile gives way to plush carpet once again.

Glove-soft upholstery invites occupants to sit and visit or kick back and watch a movie on the 37-inch LCD TV that appears like magic out of its flush mount ceiling hideaway at the touch of a button. Never fear missing your favorite programs while you travel, because you can order an optional fully automatic satellite and receiver system that will pull in the signals no matter where you go, filling the big screen up front or the new 20-inch LCD TV in the master bedroom. As a matter of fact, you can also order up a new in-motion satellite system that will permit the passengers to watch TV while the coach is on the go, automatically tracking the satellite whether the motorhome is traveling in a straight line or turning corners.

In the coach I reviewed, there was a sturdy corner desk, fronted by a Euro-style chair and ottoman, just waiting for me to plop down and relax or pull out the laptop and do a little writing. While underway, those who want to work at a desk don’t even need to leave the cockpit, because there’s a handy desktop and drawer unit that pulls out of the dashboard and all the way back to the co-pilot’s lap, complete with electrical outlets for the computer. And if you need 120-volt AC power while the coach is on the run, the new 2,800-watt Pure Sine Wave inverter will deliver electricity that is clean enough for even the most sensitive electronics.

While we’re sitting here enjoying the cockpit, I should mention that a significant improvement has been made to the driver’s seat, because now it automatically moves forward when the room slideout is retracted. No more “oops” moments when you suddenly realize that the seat is in the way of the inbound living room. The driver’s position has been further benefitted by a narrowing of the driver’s side console and the neat arrangement of gauges and controls on the dashboard. One of the gauges, by the way, is a new turbo boost indicator. Comfort for both people in the command center has been improved by the addition of a split heater duct at the driver’s feet, leading to two floor vents. Overhead, an access panel has been added to allow easier service for wires and cables running through that part of the coach.

As a driver, one of the important optional features I like best is the VORAD system. Linked to a Smart Cruise Control, the radar based collision avoidance system allows the driver to set a specific timed interval between the coach and the traffic ahead. If somebody slows down, the coach automatically kicks out of cruise control and activates the brakes to maintain the same interval. When traffic speeds up again, the cruise control resumes speed and interval. Not only that, but side and rear sensors both visually and audibly alert the driver to traffic or other objects that get too close. As I tested the system, I found it to be a huge safety item that goes a long way toward putting some relaxation back in the driving process. And speaking of getting too close to things when backing the coach, next year’s Navigator features a new back-up alarm to alert anyone behind you that you’re in reverse and coming their way.

Another powerful aid to driving is the optional new Kenwood GPS navigation system with voice activation. There’s nothing like having a machine talk you through the potentially confusing maze of turns in an unknown city on your way to a destination you’ve never seen before. So now you can grip the new two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel with confidence, knowing that you won’t get lost.

Remember the days, several decades ago, when CB radio was all the rage? Well, those days aren’t over. In fact, the 2006 Navigator can be ordered up with an optional CB radio and antenna already installed. The CB is handy for finding out what weather and road conditions are like on the route ahead of you. So get ready with your “Howdy good buddies” and see if you can figure out what those truckers are really saying.

Among the long list of convenient new equipment for the upcoming model year, Holiday Rambler installed a nice, large 16-gallon LP/electric water heater. Remember the days when a standard RV water heater was 6 gallons, and when they finally went to 10 gallons we thought we were in heaven? Well, now we’re closer to heaven. And all that hot water will come in handy if you choose the laundry option, with the newly available stackable washer and drier unit. Stackables allow you to wash a load at the same time you’re drying another, so it cuts down on the time penalty on laundry day. The plumbing system also got upgraded to a 56-gallon blackwater tank, a nice improvement over last year’s 40-gallon tank.

There is no question, the 2006 Navigator is one choice motorcoach, designed, engineered and constructed to the highest standards of quality, reliability and performance. And I’m not saying that only because I’m hoping somebody will give me one for my birthday (hint: August 6). I’m saying it because I’ve spent time behind the wheel, time crawling around underneath, time in the plant watching them being built from the ground up, and time aboard just enjoying the amenities. With four brand new floorplans and nine carryover plans in the 40- to 45-foot range, this is a luxury coach that will keep a smile on your face every mile of your traveling life. You have my word on it.