2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the common trend of mimicking competitors. Its sharp lines and generous use of chrome gave it a sophisticated appearance, reminiscent of the larger Navigator. Inside, the Aviator offered a warm and comfortable cabin, with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that elegantly rose from the center console. The piano button shifter added a unique touch, and the soothing chimes for alerts contributed to the luxurious atmosphere. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each offering a variety of features, from synthetic leather upholstery to a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinct styling elements. Its front end, with a tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's interior, while luxurious with leather upholstery and wood trim, lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, it offered impressive space, with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. The Escalade's trims included Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, each with unique exterior trim options. However, some materials felt less premium, and the ride was less composed compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the V6, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 21 miles. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its highway and suburban driving capabilities, though it struggled in city environments.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine, despite lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, aiding in acceleration. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with noticeable vibrations and a hard brake pedal. Its towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator, and it lacked off-road capabilities compared to some GM cousins.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio settings. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery failed.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, boasted a spacious interior. It measured 211.9 inches long, with the extended ESV version at 227 inches. The Escalade offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While the interior was roomy, the raised center console lacked storage space, and the seats felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. However, Cadillac included useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen's landscape format provided a natural layout, and the digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with well-arranged icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the radio station carousel and rotary controller were less intuitive. The Escalade's tech features included a 360-degree camera system, rearview camera mirror, and options like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and trailer blind-spot monitoring. The optional Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with a driver-facing camera for safety. However, the Escalade lacked published safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.