Compare the2024 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2024 Lincoln Navigator

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 Navigator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Navigator 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 Navigator doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors, 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 Navigator:

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 Navigator:

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade first among large premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Navigator isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Cadillac 7 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the Escalade gets better mileage than the Navigator:

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

The Escalade has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Navigator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

The Escalade stops much shorter than the Navigator:

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 Navigator Premiere’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Navigator Premiere.

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 Navigator 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 Navigator; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Escalade has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the Escalade Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Navigator (10 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Cadillac Escalade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the Navigator Black Label (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Escalade has .5 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more third row headroom than the Navigator.

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

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (8000 vs. 6200 pounds).

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.

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 Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Escalade’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Navigator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Escalade is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Navigator doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escalade will cost $1440 to $5995 less than the Navigator over a five-year period.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its June 2022 issue and they ranked the Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD first. They ranked the Lincoln Navigator Black Label third.

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the Lincoln Navigator by over two to one during 2023.