Lincoln Navigator vs Cadillac XT4

Cadillac employed a “Y” trim level strategy for the 2020 XT4, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, which emphasized comfort over sportiness. It came with front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, and had a crisp, tailored styling. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls felt out of place in a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a significant departure from its Ford Expedition roots, offering a unique and luxurious experience. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents. The Pristine White test vehicle with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. The interior was impressive, with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle showcased fine details like layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the Navigator one of the most comfortable large SUVs available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving character, especially with the fat band of torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission, while smooth, was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode and slightly better in Sport mode. The XT4's ride and handling were a mixed bag, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The standard suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, and the 20-inch wheels contributed to road noise. However, the XT4 offered impressive grip and minimal body roll, making it fun to drive on smooth pavement.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine made the Navigator feel sprightly and provided a satisfying intake snarl and turbo whoosh. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator responded quickly and smoothly, whether in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 4WD system was particularly smooth when switching between modes. The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive, at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens. The adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Cadillac Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, providing a roomy passenger compartment. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, capable of comfortably seating six adults. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, but the power-folding and raising feature was convenient. The second-row captain's chairs were manually reclining and tilting, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape provided ample cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a handy feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, but lacked some features offered by German competitors, such as five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous settings and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch touchscreen was a bit small for a luxury vehicle, and the climate system was not integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. However, the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems, and the instrument panel lacked the ability to show full-screen maps or different designs. The cameras were low-resolution, and the infotainment system did not support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. Despite these shortcomings, the software was intuitive and easy to use, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connection options. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the overall simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added several standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. The XT4 also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator did not offer knee airbags, but optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator did not offer advanced self-steering capabilities.