2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent several stylish updates, showing that Lincoln aimed to keep what wasn't broken while polishing up some features. New headlights, taillights, and updated wheel designs were some of the notable changes. A 20-inch wheel design became standard, and Lincoln tweaked the Navigator’s front end and Embrace nighttime illumination sequence. These modifications helped keep the Navigator modern, though the new Audi-esque grille, reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4 with Lincoln's star and chrome detailing, divided opinions. Many felt it lost the elegance and presence of prior models. However, this update remained a mere footnote compared to the rest of the SUV's successful makeover.

Inside, the Navigator continued to captivate with high-quality materials and a chic mid-century modern aesthetic. Added to this 2022 refresh was the dazzling Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme, which Lincoln designed to evoke the twilight sky, complete with twinkling stars and a thin line of blazing color. This evocative display theme extended to the head-up display (HUD) and rear-seat entertainment screens, further enriching the Navigator’s interior.

The 2022 model also introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system complemented by a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display. Together with the digital instrumentation and widescreen HUD, these displays ensured Navigator kept pace in the ever-competitive screen size and usability arena. Remaining true to form, the Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase formats and offered in Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with MSRPs starting at $78,405, including the destination charge. For this review, the fully loaded Black Label in Central Park theme commanded a whopping $106,530 price tag, thanks to its luxury Manhattan Green color scheme and premium second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade presented a towering, imposing figure standing at almost six-and-a-half feet tall and requiring between 18 to 19 feet of parking length. Even the standard model resembled a motorized cargo container, equipped with three rows of leather seats and an array of sophisticated computers. The Escalade ESV, stretching 15 inches longer than standard, further emphasized Cadillac's commitment to grandeur.

Designed for visibility and boasting enviable attention, the Escalade featured thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights that visually slimmed its mass, along with darkened chrome on the Sport Platinum trim. Horizontal leading lines and subtle contours added a hint of aerodynamics to its otherwise bold profile. With its imposing stature and high-profile clientele including pop musicians and boating enthusiasts, the Escalade exuded a sense of purpose and brand recognition.

All six Escalade trims wore 22-inch wheels and included a decorative lighting sequence featuring an illuminated Cadillac badge. The trim choices ranged from the black honeycomb grille on the Sport to the star-studded Luxury trims and toothy Platinum’s face. The stealthy, powerful appearance of the V-Series was easily distinguishable by its quad-exhaust tips, red brake calipers, and open lower grille.

Inside, the Escalade revealed a sumptuous cabin, especially in the front row. The luxurious leather-edged array of screens spanned 38 inches across the dashboard and framed it with seven wood trim options. Despite the opulent front row, the Escalade’s brand image faltered in the second and third rows. Components like the heated seat controls, shifter, and sunroof controls seemed borrowed from cheaper GM models, and the less supportive seating left much to be desired. Nonetheless, the Escalade's front remained its most stunning feature, richly detailed and perfectly crafted to represent Cadillac's luxury promise.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine which, paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered a sturdy 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Though lacking a traditional V8, this powertrain offered an impressive balance of performance and pleasure, producing a satisfying note under acceleration. The towing capacity ranged between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds depending on the configuration, and the new Trailer Reverse Guidance made handling loads smoother.

In comparison, the Cadillac Escalade's standard 6.2-liter V8 provided 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity up to 8,200 pounds on RWD models. However, despite its thrilling muscle-car exhaust note, the V8 lacked the rapid acceleration one might expect, performing best under mild cruising rather than spirited driving. Cadillac’s optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine generated 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering adequate power and better fuel economy compared to older models.

Lincoln's updates to the Navigator included an advanced adaptive-damping suspension called Road Preview, enhancing ride quality by detecting and preparing for road imperfections. The addition of a new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, addressing issues noted in previous models.

The Navigator demonstrated confident performance in a variety of conditions, from Arizona's smooth streets to snow-laden roads in Payson. Its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension proved adept at managing various terrains. Fuel efficiency for the 4WD model was notable at 18.6 mpg during real-world testing, marginally above the EPA's combined estimate of 18 mpg.

Conversely, driving the Escalade revealed a primarily pleasant experience, though the 10-speed automatic transmission lacked the responsiveness others in the segment provided. While Cadillac's gasoline V8 and supercharged Escalade-V with a Corvette engine offered more horsepower (up to 682 hp for the V), the standard V8 powertrain didn’t fully exploit the Escalade’s potential, making passing maneuvers and spirited driving less exciting. The new brakes in the V-Series, however, were commendable, though overkill for day-to-day use. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, tested in previous models, showcased smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy.

Cadillac's magnetic dampers and superbly tuned steering enhanced ride comfort and maneuverability, coupled with an optional air suspension making the Escalade more nimble than other big SUVs. Despite this, wind noise remained a concern at highway speeds, affecting the perceived luxury of the experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in delivering a comfortable interior with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats that were heated, ventilated, and massaging. Taking the time to adjust and save settings via memory functions ensured supreme comfort during long drives. Similarly, the newly upgraded second-row captain’s chairs offered massaging, heating, and ventilation, making even short trips a luxurious experience. The Navigator did not skimp on third-row comfort either, maintaining roominess and supportiveness that made it a favorite among full-size SUVs since 2005.

When it came to cargo capacity, the Navigator provided ample space. Regular models offered 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The long-wheelbase Navigator L increased these numbers to 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with it folded, and a cavernous 120.2 cubic feet at full capacity. These numbers underlined the Navigator's suitability for large families and heavy haulers.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, by contrast, pushed boundaries with its superior interior space. Offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and an expansive 121 cubic feet with both rows folded down, the Escalade outclassed many competitors, including the long-wheelbase Navigator L. The Escalade ESV went further, providing up to 143 cubic feet of cargo space. This ensured abundant headroom and legroom in all rows, thanks to its independent rear suspension, making it remarkably comfortable for up to six adults with no compromises.

Cadillac's intelligent design featured intuitive controls, easy-to-use interfaces, and convenient tech like a front console refrigerator. Though hindered by some impractical placement of power outlets, there were plenty of USB ports to compensate. The Escalade’s thoughtful touches included power-retractable side steps and customizable air suspension, making loading and unloading hassle-free. However, the second-row seats lacked the power adjustability found in the Navigator's third-row.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator sought to catch up with rivals through its new Sync 4 infotainment system and an upgraded 13.2-inch touchscreen. This system replaced the dated 10.1-inch screen, offering a more intuitive and user-friendly experience with features like two simultaneous data panels. Important physical controls for climate and audio remained easy to reach and use, characterized by matte-finish buttons designed to resist glare.

Sync 4's user-friendly nature, supporting both Android Auto and Apple Carplay, reflected modern smartphone conventions, minimizing the learning curve. Although some voice recognition hiccups persisted, Lincoln hinted at future updates to address these. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now integrated with Amazon Fire TV, further enriched the rear-cabin experience by providing seamless access to popular streaming services. Alongside the new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, the Navigator excelled in delivering top-tier entertainment and audio quality.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade dazzled with its advanced OLED screens spanning the dashboard, providing unmatched clarity and readability. The seamless integration of a front camera displayed vital navigational information directly on the instrument panel, which was more driver-centric and effective than competing systems from Mercedes and BMW.

Super Cruise, Cadillac’s hands-free driving system, stood out with its advanced highway driving capabilities and infrared eye-tracking to ensure driver attentiveness. The technology proved superior to rival systems, like Tesla's, in delivering a dependable hands-free driving experience over 200,000 miles of U.S. highways.

Cadillac also pioneered night vision technology, offering pedestrian detection that highlighted individuals on the screen. On the entertainment front, the Escalade's 36-speaker AKG audio system delivered a concert-like experience, complemented by massage-enabled front seats and versatile rear-seat entertainment options. However, the navigation system's occasional errors and non-powered second-row seating arrangements indicated areas for improvement.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced an array of new driver assistance features, such as Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. Intersection Assist potentially enhanced safety by preventing unsafe turns amidst traffic, while Road Edge Detection maintained vehicle stability on uncertain terrains. Active Park Assist 2.0 and ActiveGlide semi-autonomous driving technology further simplified parking and highway driving tasks, although users were required to stay vigilant to ensure safety. Despite these features working well under ideal conditions, trust in their infallibility required cautious oversight.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received a somewhat mixed safety assessment, garnering four out of five stars from the NHTSA. Specifically, its front-passenger protection in a frontal crash test received four stars, while rollover resistance earned three stars; other crash tests maintained five-star ratings. Despite lacking IIHS ratings, the Escalade was packed with safety technologies like forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.