2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

In 2021, the Lincoln Navigator distinguished itself with a blend of elegance and understatement, moving far beyond its past iterations that were essentially jazzed-up Ford Expeditions. While it retained certain design aspects from the Ford Expedition, such as its side glass and general shape, it stood alone in its unique styling. Pristine White with a monochromatic package looked stunning, featuring a body-color grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo. The Navigator's minimalist, modern look was marked by rectilinear shapes defining the grille, windows, headlights, and a full-width taillight assembly, plus a few chrome accents. The interior was a testament to luxury with seven color palettes and details like layered wood trim, chromed switches, and a floating center console. The materials were of high quality, and the panel gaps were tight, creating a sophisticated feel overall.

On the other hand, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing presence. It exuded an unapologetic sense of size, featuring a towering grille, vertically-oriented running lights, and horizontal headlights that lent it a locomotive-like front end. The styling elements emphasized the vehicle's bulk, with design features distinct from its GM siblings. It offered both luxury and sport trims, each with unique exterior treatments. Inside, the Escalade had no problem ticking off the boxes for luxury with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, it lacked a cohesive interior design theme, which detracted somewhat from its sophistication and appeal.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with a potent twin-turbo V6 engine borrowed from the Ford Raptor. With 3.5 liters of displacement, it generated 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, making the Navigator feel remarkably nimble for its size. The 10-speed automatic transmission paired effectively with either RWD or 4WD, delivering commendable responsiveness. However, its fuel economy was lackluster, averaging in the teens and fitting within the EPA’s 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator’s adaptive dampers did a fine job, but the ride quality over rough terrain was less impressive compared to its rival. The steering and braking also lacked the controlled, precise feel of the Escalade, albeit doing enough to keep the vehicle from feeling unwieldy.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two engine choices: a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering either RWD or 4WD. When tested with the diesel engine, the Escalade demonstrated smooth power delivery and a notable torque peak at 1,500 rpm, making it easy to handle in various conditions. The Escalade fell short of the Navigator in towing capacity, maxing out at 8,200 pounds compared to the Lincoln's 8,700 pounds. Its ride was somewhat less refined, with constant vibrations and an unsettled feel due to its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels, although it employed standard independent rear suspension and optional magnetic ride control dampers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a cavernous interior, easily accommodating up to six adults or up to eight with the optional bench seats. It provided 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. Opting for the long-wheelbase model increased the available storage to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. Functionality features included a rear glass that opened separately from the tailgate. However, second-row seats lacked certain luxury adjustments and features found in higher-end competitors.

In comparison, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade also offered impressive space, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs. It measured 211.9 inches long for the standard model and 227 inches for the extended ESV version. The Escalade boasted the most first-row and third-row legroom among its peers, but the Navigator provided slightly better second-row headroom. It had similar configurations with second-row captain’s chairs or a power-folding bench seat. For cargo, the Escalade had 25.5 cubic feet with all seats up, 63 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and an impressive 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, surpassing the standard Navigator but not the Navigator L.

By 2021, the Lincoln Navigator’s technology showcased a 10-inch touchscreen that, while functional, couldn’t compete with Cadillac’s more advanced offerings. The Navigator’s system lacked full-screen map displays, high-resolution cameras, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The user interface was intuitive, but the infotainment felt outdated compared to the multi-screen, high-definition setups found in newer models.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured arguably one of the most elaborate infotainment systems with a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three separate screens for different functionalities. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a suite of other tech features, were standard. The design was well integrated into the dashboard, though certain controls like the radio station carousel and rotary controller were less user-friendly. The high-resolution 360-degree camera system and augmented-reality navigation were standout features, providing invaluable support for a vehicle of this size.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had already been crash-tested by NHTSA, earning five stars overall. However, it received lower marks for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD, three stars for RWD). Its safety suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Notably, it lacked knee airbags and the more sophisticated self-steering capabilities found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with a comprehensive standard driver-assist suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Cadillac’s innovative Super Cruise system was available, providing advanced hands-free driving capabilities on pre-mapped highways. This system was one of the most sophisticated on the market, although independent safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available for the model year.