2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

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 SUV's front end was restyled, featuring a grille reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, which some felt detracted from its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, with the interior continuing to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a celestial touch, while the upgraded Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen kept the Navigator competitive in the screen size race.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury but fell short in cabin quality, which seemed more fitting for a Buick or top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the XT5 offered a well-laid-out interior with good space across both rows and above-average cargo capacity. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though the cabin lacked uniqueness. The XT5's headroom and legroom were commendable, and features like a panoramic sunroof and genuine leather upholstery on top trims added to its appeal. However, the XT5's interior design and materials did not quite match the luxury expectations set by its competitors.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. It boasted a towing capacity between 3,674 and 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration, and featured Trailer Reverse Guidance technology. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, enhanced with Road Preview, provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. An optional V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, but the XT5 lacked driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on rough roads, with more cabin noise and vibration than expected. The XT5's fuel economy was rated at 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.2 highway, and 9.7 combined for the turbo-four with FWD, while the V6 with AWD was rated at 13.1/9.5/11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptional comfort with its heated, ventilated, and available massaging 30-way power-adjustable front seats. 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 design. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,627 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum of 2,925 litres with the second row down. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it provided useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console bin. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy access to controls, while rear passengers had seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5 offered 850 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made loading easy, and the cargo area was well-shaped for accommodating larger items.

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

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's CUE infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for climate controls and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation was available. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as some rivals.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous hands-free driving technology. A surround-view camera system was also standard. ActiveGlide was approved for use on over 200,000 kilometres of North American roads, performing well within its operational limits, though drivers were advised to remain attentive.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned 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, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear pedestrian braking. The XT5's safety tech was comprehensive, though not class-leading.