2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced between the sharp, futuristic lines of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics 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 a somewhat awkward appearance due to the XT5’s compact size and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a cohesive design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its imposing presence with minimal changes from its 2018 redesign and 2022 refresh. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior was equally luxurious, with black leather seats, real wood trim, and chrome accents. The ambient lighting in the Reserve I package added character at night. Despite its upscale materials, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel. The Navigator’s cabin was spacious and comfortable, with power-deploying running boards for easy access and 30-way adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which offered a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, providing a nimble feel without being overly sensitive. The cabin remained quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a single engine option: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview aimed to smooth out the ride, but the Navigator’s ride quality was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving handling but reducing fuel efficiency. The Navigator’s nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes, especially on mountain roads, and its large size made maneuvering in tight spaces difficult.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 provided competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but less than the BMW X3. It offered more legroom in both rows than its German rivals, though less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more cushioning, especially in the rear. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the center console featured a small cubbyhole for additional storage.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for even more cargo space. The power-deploying running boards facilitated easy access, and the 30-way adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions ensured comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs were spacious, and the third-row seat accommodated taller adults comfortably. Storage space was abundant, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

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

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to voice commands. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the Navigator using a digital key. However, the wireless smartphone charger tended to overheat devices.

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 Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, which included advanced driving assistance systems such as Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed for hands-free driving on designated highways but required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA.