2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt reduced the vehicle's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, enhanced by the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display added to the vehicle's appeal.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to balance affordability and luxury but fell short in some areas. The cabin, while spacious and intuitively laid out, featured materials that seemed more fitting for a Buick or top-trim Chevy. The XT5 retained many physical controls, which made it user-friendly but also somewhat dated. Despite these shortcomings, the XT5 offered good headroom and legroom, and its above-average cargo space was a significant advantage.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offered robust performance and a pleasing note under acceleration. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive were available. The XT5's acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, and the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An optional V6 engine provided 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, offering better performance but still lacking driving excitement. The XT5's handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on broken pavement. Fuel economy for the XT5 ranged from 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for the turbo-four with FWD, to 18/25/21 mpg for the V6 with AWD.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior had more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected, but it offered useful storage spaces and good ergonomics for front-seat passengers. The maximum cargo space was 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. These specs were generous for the XT5's class, making it competitive with rivals like the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering an intuitive interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were retained, making the system user-friendly. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's CUE infotainment system ran on an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate and steering wheel controls. The Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available options. While not as advanced as some rivals, the CUE system was user-friendly and not overly distracting.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required constant driver attention. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but highlighted the need for driver vigilance.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's 2021 model received top "Good" scores in crash tests but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to "Marginal" headlight ratings. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking assist. The XT5's safety tech was comprehensive but not class-leading.