2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, with new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, alongside an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt detracted from the Navigator's previous elegance. Despite this, the rest of the updates were well-received, maintaining the SUV's luxurious appeal. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by the Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display added to the vehicle's tech-savvy appeal, ensuring the Navigator remained competitive in the luxury SUV market.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood out with its imposing size and athletic design, featuring thin LED lights and a darkened chrome finish on the Sport Platinum trim. The Escalade's interior was rich, with a 38-inch curved screen array and various wood trim options. However, some interior elements borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from its luxury status. The Escalade offered six trims, all with 22-inch wheels and elaborate lighting sequences. While the front row exuded luxury, the rear seats lacked the same level of refinement. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade's spaciousness and tech features, like the optional Super Cruise, made it a compelling choice for those seeking a large, tech-forward SUV.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology enhanced ride comfort, while the new electronic brake booster improved braking response. The Navigator handled various road conditions with ease, thanks to its ground clearance and traction settings. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test drive averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for towing up to 3,629 kilograms, it felt heavy during acceleration. The Escalade-V variant featured a supercharged V8 with 682 horsepower, offering a more exhilarating drive. An optional 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel V6 provided 277 horsepower and better fuel economy at 10.5 L/100 km. The Escalade's 4WD system was less sophisticated than some competitors, but its magnetic ride control dampers and optional air suspension improved handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and available with a massaging function. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat was spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres with all seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more room, with up to 3,403 litres of cargo space.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted the most space-efficient interior among large SUVs, with 722 litres of cargo space behind the third row and up to 3,426 litres with all seats folded. The Escalade ESV offered even more room, with a maximum of 4,044 litres. The interior featured simple controls, a smart infotainment system, and an optional front console refrigerator. Power-retractable side steps and an air suspension made access and loading easier. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise spacious and functional interior.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a user-friendly interface and support for Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The system included voice recognition and over-the-air updates. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a vast array of tech features, including a span of OLED screens across the dash, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a head-up display. The optional Super Cruise system offered hands-free highway driving, while night vision and a 36-speaker AKG audio system enhanced the driving experience. The Escalade's infotainment system was intuitive, with a smart interface and easy-to-use controls.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required driver attention at all times. The system represented a step towards fully autonomous driving but was not infallible.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with lower scores for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera. Optional features like reverse emergency braking and Super Cruise added to the Escalade's safety suite, though some systems had room for improvement.