2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, thanks to its distinctive design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that welcomed owners with a sequential illumination. Its lattice-type grille, illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights were signature design hallmarks. The Navigator offered a Reserve Monochromatic Package, enhancing its custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator exuded luxury with its Dark Slate leather interior, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, and a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac XT5 aimed to reclaim Cadillac's reputation for refinement with its updated design and technology. The XT5 featured a snub-nosed exterior with standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design than its Chevrolet Blazer sibling, with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The Premium Luxury trim level exuded elegance, though it lacked some of the luxury appointments found in higher-end Cadillacs. The XT5's interior design focused on simplicity, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials, providing a chic yet understated cabin environment.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Ford Expedition's most powerful version by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. The Navigator's 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. It offered multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, tailoring the powertrain to various driving situations. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its size, the Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's 18 mpg combined estimate.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque. The V6 was standard on the XT5 Sport and available on the Premium Luxury trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from more low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg during testing, surpassing the EPA's 21 mpg combined estimate for the V6 AWD model. The XT5's handling was commendable, offering a comfortable ride across various road conditions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out in comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the ideal settings took time. The Navigator's second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with a large center console available for the latter. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support, ensuring comfort for all passengers. Cargo space was generous, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements significantly.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though the back seat offered limited headroom for taller occupants. The front seats, while visually appealing, proved less comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, with climate control features that adjusted based on the car's interior temperature. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced the width of the area. The SUV's cargo-management system allowed for secure storage of loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with few convenient places for smartphones or other essentials.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone use as a vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an elegant design. The climate control system was housed in Piano Black plastic with haptic feedback, though it often ran colder than displayed. The XT5's infotainment system included a rotary controller on the center console, which crowded the screen's aesthetics. The SUV offered one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The rear camera mirror proved useful at night, and a head-up display provided essential driving information.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with trailer coverage. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. The XT5 featured Cadillac's Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability by illuminating large wildlife and hazards. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.