Compare the2023 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Aviator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Escalade are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Aviator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Escalade has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Aviator doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Aviator doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac Escalade is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

	Escalade	Aviator
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23%	26.3%
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	230/210 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Cadillac Escalade is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

	Escalade	Aviator
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	65
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	111 lbs.	161 lbs.
Hip Force	118 lbs.	224 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	604 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	288
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Escalade’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Aviator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Escalade’s reliability 24 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade first among large premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Aviator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 5 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 415) than the Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escalade gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Escalade
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
Aviator
	RWD	3.0 turbo V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/24 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade V8’s fuel efficiency. The Aviator doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Escalade and the Aviator have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Escalades have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Aviator Grand Touring doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Escalade has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escalade has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator’s standard fuel tank (24 vs. 20.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escalade Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Aviator:

	Escalade Sport	Aviator
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.6 inches

The Escalade stops shorter than the Aviator:

	Escalade	Aviator
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escalade has larger tires than the Aviator (275/50R22 vs. 255/55R19).

The Escalade’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator.

The Cadillac Escalade’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lincoln Aviator only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Escalade has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Aviator doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Escalade has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Aviator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Aviator (120.9 inches vs. 119.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Aviator.

For greater off-road capability the Escalade Air Suspension has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Aviator (10 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Escalade offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Aviator can only carry 7.

The Escalade has 23.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (168.4 vs. 144.7).

The Escalade has .8 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.3 inches more third row headroom, 5.7 inches more third row legroom, 8.5 inches more third row hip room and 8.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Aviator.

Cargo Capacity

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the Aviator.

	Escalade	Aviator
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	18.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.9 cubic feet	41.8 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	121 cubic feet	77.7 cubic feet

Towing

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (8000 vs. 5600 pounds).

The Escalade 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escalade can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Aviator can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Escalade, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

The Escalade’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Aviator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Escalade has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Aviator doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

Consumer Reports rated the Escalade’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Aviator’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

When the Escalade is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Aviator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Escalade has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Aviator.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac Escalade has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Grand Touring/Black Label offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade second among large premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Aviator isn’t in the top three.

The Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV outsold the Lincoln Aviator by 77% during the 2021 model year.

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