2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It incorporated Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, but not a particularly graceful one.

The XT5’s trim levels, Premium Luxury and Sport, offered slightly different exterior styling cues to give each trim a unique personality. The Premium Luxury trim featured bright chrome accents, while the Sport trim had darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels were included on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, with 20-inch wheels standard on the Sport model. Optional Onyx and Radiant styling packages provided additional customization with dark and bright chrome, respectively, along with 20-inch wheels.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, presented a more cohesive and luxurious design. The Aviator Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering standard all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with our test model, the Black Label Grand Touring, priced at $91,225, including destination charges.

The Aviator’s exterior design was appealing, with the most successful execution of the modern Lincoln face in the automaker’s lineup. However, the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were too plain, and the multi-spoke machined-finish rims did not justify the high price tag. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric door handles, and soft-close doors added a touch of elegance, but the electronic door latches could pinch fingers if not used carefully.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The V6-equipped Premium Luxury test car felt reasonably quick, with smooth and quick shifts from the nine-speed automatic transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering a nimble feel without being overly sensitive. The cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, generated an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated 21 miles of electric driving range, with a combined average of 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator Grand Touring achieved 22.3 miles of electric driving range, with a fuel economy equivalent to 163.4 mpg. Over a total of 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg. The drivetrain provided plenty of power, but its response was sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal also exhibited inconsistent behavior, common with regenerative braking systems. The Aviator’s Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension managed to erase nearly all unnatural body motions, providing a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It provided more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 had more legroom in both rows, although it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear.

Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. However, the Infiniti QX50 offered even more cargo capacity. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and automatic heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, while the second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive.

However, the third-row seat was not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seats in use, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available as part of the optional Technology Package. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran Lincoln’s outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was spectacular, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra-recorded chimes added a unique touch. The Aviator also included wireless charging, Phone As A Key digital key system, digital instrumentation, and a comprehensive head-up display. Front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system were also standard.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aid packages, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included features like automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.