2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade took design cues from Cadillac's concept vehicles, most notably the Escala. While the front of the Escalade echoed the sleek influence of the concept, the overall redesign didn't break the mold of familiar styling. The first-ever standard 22-inch wheels, crisp body creases, and vertical OLED taillights that faded into the roof maintained the classic Escalade vibe.

Starting at $76,195, a base Escalade offered black-on-black aesthetics with leatherette upholstery and rear-wheel drive (RWD). However, most sought shinier trims like the Premium Luxury ($82,995) or blacked-out Sport ($85,995), reaching $102,310 fully loaded with four-wheel drive (FWD) and numerous tech and luxury packages. For those desiring more space, the Escalade ESV added $3,000.

Inside, the Escalade elevated luxury beyond its Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon siblings. Leather upholstery became standard from the Premium Luxury trim upward, culminating in the Platinum trim with semi-aniline leather and seven wood trim options. Despite high-quality materials, the test vehicle's light carpets showed early signs of wear, and plastic lower panels seemed less forgivable given the hefty price tag. Still, the cabin's overall look—in our test with Premium Luxury trim, Parchment leather, mini-chevron perforations, and Tamo Ash wood—was impressive.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, meanwhile, took a distinct path from its Ford Explorer roots, emulating the Navigator's successful design. Emphasizing crisp lines and chrome accents, Lincoln's mid-size SUV presented a sharp, modern, and luxurious look. The Aviator, introduced in 2020 and maintaining its style in 2021, impressively used chrome without seeming ostentatious.

Inside, the Aviator continued its luxurious theme with soft-touch materials and chrome accents. The center console flowed up elegantly to a dominant 10.1-inch touchscreen. Lincoln's unique approach extended to a piano button shifter on the dash, unconventional but sensibly arranged. The Aviator's interior radiated comfort and class, enhanced by features like soothing chimes over standard alerts.

Aviator trims ranged from Standard, Reserve, and Grand Touring to the high-luxury Black Label and Black Label Grand Touring.

Our Grand Touring test model featured adaptive headlines, massaging Multi-Contour Seats, a robust plug-in hybrid engine, and adaptive headlights, wrapped in a sleek, luxurious, and functional package.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade presented two engine options: a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine and a standard 6.2-liter V8. Most drivers favored the V8 for its powerful 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The V8's enriched sound was further amplified by the optional Performance Upgrade Package, providing an exciting driving experience.

Equipped with direct fuel injection, automatic engine stop/start, and Dynamic Fuel Management, the V8 achieved an EPA rating of 16 mpg combined, closely matched by our test average of 15.9 mpg over 140 miles. The turbo-diesel alternative offered 277 horsepower and a similar torque value, noticeable at lower RPMs, potentially offering around 27 mpg combined.

Handling improvements were significant in the 2021 model, thanks to the switch to independent rear suspension and the inclusion of Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 and 4-Corner Air Ride systems. Even on winding, hilly drives between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Escalade remained composed and smooth, with minimal bounce or roll. Despite its size, city maneuverability was surprisingly good, albeit with a brake pedal that could have been more responsive.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine across Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) were available, offering robust acceleration.

However, the pinnacle of Aviator performance lay in the Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims, featuring the twin-turbo V6 paired with a plug-in hybrid setup. This configuration resulted in a potent 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system offered smooth acceleration and up to 21 miles of electric-only driving.

The Aviator's driving modes, like "Excite" and "Conserve," were less about high performance and more about enhancing the driving comfort. While the SUV exhibited noticeable body roll during cornering due to its heft, it excelled on highways, ensuring a smooth, composed ride rather than spirited city driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade benefitted enormously from its redesigned independent rear suspension. This change allowed for a lowered floor, increasing both passenger space and cargo capacity. The roomy interior featured standard 12-way adjustable front seats, with heated and ventilated options available. Platinum trims offered massaging seats, enhancing comfort for lengthy rides.

Second-row captain's chairs were both heated and adjustable, with an option for a bench seat at no extra cost. The power-release feature provided easy third-row access, revealing significantly improved space and comfort for adults. The lower floor and extended wheelbase contributed to 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 109.1 cubic feet when both rear rows were flattened. The larger ESV model expanded this to 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet respectively.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and maxing out at 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While smaller than the Escalade, this capacity was decent for a midsize luxury SUV.

The Aviator's second row was notably inviting, particularly in the Grand Touring trim with captain's chairs and a center console with a digital control panel for various settings. Conversely, the power-button door releases, while modern, raised concerns about functionality in the case of battery failure.

Cadillac equipped the 2021 Escalade with groundbreaking technology, starting with OLED screens spanning 38 inches across the dashboard. These screens offered high pixel density, vivid colors, and deep blacks. However, switching between the 14.2-inch instrument screen's modes required diving into the infotainment screen's menus, which was inconvenient while driving.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an impressive voice recognition system were standard, although the latter failed some practical tests. Noteworthy features included AR navigation with real-time directional arrows, AKG 19-speaker and optional 36-speaker systems, and a 14-inch head-up display available on most trims.

Lincoln's Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch Sync 3 touchscreen in a landscape layout, favoring a more natural viewing experience. The intuitive system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and featured an easy-to-toggle fully digital instrument panel. An optional head-up display (HUD) provided clear, multicolored graphics that enhanced driver convenience.

Safety in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade started with its robust size and weight. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a unique Safety Alert Seat. Higher trims added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Driver Assist Tech Package further enhanced safety with high-speed emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. However, occasional false alarms and braking events suggested some technological hiccups.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator boasted a comprehensive safety suite with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package. This included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package, available on higher trims, added reverse automatic braking, self-parking, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator also received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.