2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which often resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, such as side glass and the general shape of the rear seats, the Navigator stood out with its unique design and luxurious feel. It exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. The Navigator's design featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and a few chrome accents that added a touch of class. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and attention to finer details, such as layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and the Black Label trims elevated the luxury experience further.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 had a design that mixed Cadillac's trademark cues with a compact footprint and tall profile, resulting in an ungainly appearance. The XT5's styling was somewhere between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional looks of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for standout features. Without it, the XT5's interior lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided the Navigator with impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and efficient, offering a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds with the RWD model. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking feel, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power delivery.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower. The V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and quick shifts, making the XT5 feel reasonably quick for everyday driving. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, offering a balance between nimbleness and stability. The XT5's cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, akin to a small bedroom, accommodating six adults comfortably. It was technically a seven-passenger SUV, but the third row's middle seat was best suited for a child. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage capacity. The Navigator Reserve featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, although it lacked some features offered by German competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs, making long drives a pleasure.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to German luxury crossovers in terms of interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. However, it trailed in rear headroom. The XT5 provided more legroom in both rows, although less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. A hands-free power liftgate was available, adding convenience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. While the infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, along with a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming. The simplicity of the Navigator's tech was a relief compared to more complex systems.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. While usability was improved, the XT5's tech still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size and graphics. The array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, was not user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5's quiet interior.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in most tests except for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and inflatable rear seat belts for the second row.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and other safety features. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, except for a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the XT5 a five-star overall safety rating.