Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer at 226.9 inches compared to the regular Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This additional length was primarily at the back, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its extended wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trims, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The vehicle came equipped with standard luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a deep-tinted glass, with options for a panoramic moonroof and other upgrades.

Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a less opulent experience, particularly in lighter color schemes where the use of General Motors' standard switches and knobs was evident. The interior featured hard plastics that lacked the refinement seen in competitors like Mercedes-Benz. Despite its high price point, the dashboard area lacked distinctive trimmings. The Escalade ESV was designed to be a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, with leatherette seating surfaces standard and leather upholstery available. It offered ample legroom in the first two rows, though adults might find the third row less accommodating. The vehicle provided 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, with power-adjustable third-row seats for added convenience.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a distinct design language that set it apart from its competitors. It carried over the sharp styling of the Navigator, featuring crisp lines and chrome accents that enhanced its modern appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin exuded comfort and warmth, with soft-touch materials and a center console that elegantly rose to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's interior was defined by its piano button shifter and soothing chimes, contributing to an air of class and luxury. The vehicle offered various trims, each with its own set of features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to upgraded leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof in the Reserve trim.

The Aviator's Grand Touring trim introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adding adaptive headlights and a heated steering wheel. The Black Label trim included the Convenience and Luxury packages, featuring a head-up display and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. The Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, with power-lift-and-lower third-row seats for increased capacity. The second row was particularly comfortable, with captain's chairs and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six. The V8 engine, standard across all trims, delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel engine provided 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed a challenge for the engine when towing. The EPA estimated the traditional Escalade's fuel economy at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with the RWD Escalade ESV averaging around 18 mpg during testing.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims introduced a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain allowed for up to 21 miles of pure electric driving. The Aviator's conventional powertrain provided robust acceleration, while the hybrid offered brisk acceleration with a smooth power delivery. The vehicle's long wheelbase made it slightly awkward to maneuver in tight spaces, but it excelled on highways and in suburban settings. The Aviator featured a drive mode selector with options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its versatility.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed to be a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and other premium features. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, though adults might find the third row less accommodating. The vehicle offered 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, with power-adjustable third-row seats for added convenience. However, the hands-free power liftgate was only partially reliable, and the vehicle lacked a physical latch release.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, with power-lift-and-lower third-row seats for increased capacity. With all rear seats folded, the Aviator offered a total of 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making it competitive in the midsize luxury SUV class. The second row was particularly comfortable, with captain's chairs and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure, but the vehicle's overall design and features contributed to a comfortable and luxurious experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The vehicle's standout feature was its curved 38-inch Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screen, which housed three screens displaying driver information and the infotainment system. The Escalade ESV also offered Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system that allowed for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise worked well in most situations, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The screen's landscape format provided a natural layout, and the system featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with large icons. The Aviator also included a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display (HUD) with crisp graphics. The vehicle's technology offerings contributed to a user-friendly and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection, rear pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Buyers could add additional safety features, including adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating out of five, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors as part of the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package. The Grand Touring test model included the Co-Pilot 360 Plus package, which added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), receiving a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.