2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong first impression with its unapologetically massive presence. Its grille, LED daytime running lights, and towering taillights matched the SUV’s imposing size, with the taillights vaguely evoking the classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, dominated by a tall hood and vertically integrated lights, looked more akin to a diesel locomotive than a car, standing apart from other General Motors full-size SUVs both past and present. This distinct identity was further enhanced by different styling elements for the “sport” and “luxury” trims—bright exterior trims for Luxury and Premium Luxury models, and darkened trims with a mesh grille for the Sport model. Despite its huge 22-inch wheels, they appeared dwarfed by the Escalade’s extensive sheet metal.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, despite being marked for a future electric transformation, continued its reign in the conventional SUV market without major updates. The Navigator Reserve model exuded elegance with a triple-black exterior, monochromatic black 22-inch wheels, and body-color trim, although keeping it clean was a chore. The cabin’s black interior was punctuated by real wood trim and chrome accents, and the ambient lighting added some character at night. Despite some chrome plastic switchgear falling short of luxury expectation, the Navigator Reserve’s cabin offered an overall upscale and quality experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 generated an impressive 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. There was also the option of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 horsepower and the same 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). While we tested the diesel variant and found its torque peak at 1,500 rpm beneficial for smooth power delivery, the gasoline variant slightly outperformed in towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,200 pounds compared to 8,100 pounds for the diesel. However, its unsettled ride quality—which felt inconsistent and uncomfortable—fell short when compared to competitors, including the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, offered a singular but powerful engine choice—a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 generating 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and fitted solely with a 4WD drivetrain. With five driving modes and an adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview, the Navigator’s Southern California test loop yielded mixed results at 15.6 mpg. While its Normal mode ride was unsatisfactory due to the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires contributing to truck-like handling over small bumps, the Excite mode improved its dynamics by stiffening the suspension. Its nearly three-ton curb weight, however, challenged the brakes on mountain roads, proving somewhat unwieldy in tight city maneuvers.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade was known for its cavernous cabin, courtesy of platform sharing with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches, with the ESV model extending to 227 inches. Interior space in the Escalade was unfurled with the most first- and third-row legroom among luxury SUVs. Second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench came standard, with an optional power-folding 60/40 bench for the second row. The cargo volume was a strong suit—for instance, with all seats folded, it offered up to 109.1 cubic feet of space. However, the center console storage was limited, and the 12-way adjustable front seats felt derivative of its GM siblings.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator also underscored functionality with its luxurious three-row seating arrangement. It presented corporate users with comfortably adjustable 30-way Perfect Position front seats, though some found them overly complex for day-to-day adjustments. The Navigator excelled with its cargo space, especially in the Navigator L model, which outsharked its standard counterpart with 120.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity compared to 103.3 cubic feet. Storage solutions throughout the cabin, like the large tray under the center console, catered effectively to the needs of all passengers.

Cadillac equipped the 2022 Escalade with a standout 38-inch curved OLED display, actually a combination of three screens—a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and a 7.2-inch screen primarily for trip-computer functions. This setup blended seamlessly with the dashboard, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Physical toggles were retained for critical functions, although the infotainment system sometimes suffered from awkward usability features. The standard 360-degree camera system and the rearview camera mirror were crucial for a vehicle of this size, augmented with optional high-tech features like night vision and augmented reality navigation.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator’s approach was less ostentatious but equally effective. It featured digitally pleasing gauges and an intuitive Sync 4 infotainment system, which included wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM 360L, and an advanced voice recognition system. Though its wireless smartphone charger tended to overheat devices, the digital assistant and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided robust tech support. The Lincoln Play system, though costly, was mostly bypassed by rear-seat passengers in favor of their smartphones. Additionally, technology like Phone As A Key offered modern conveniences but lacked the showy grandeur of Cadillac’s massive display ensemble.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and trailer blind-spot monitoring were available on higher trims. The standout feature was Cadillac's Super Cruise, allowing for truly hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, enhanced by a driver-facing camera to ensure attentiveness. Although some operational glitches were reported, Super Cruise represented a significant advancement in driver convenience and safety. Crash test results from IIHS and NHTSA for this model year were unavailable.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator also packed its array of advanced driver assistance systems within the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Unique offerings included Evasive Steering Assist and Intersection Assist, along with the BlueCruise hands-free driving system, which performed adequately on designated highways but had limitations in challenging driving scenarios. Crash test data was limited but revealed a 5-star side-impact and 4-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA.