Compare the2025 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2025 Lincoln Aviator

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade (except Luxury) helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera 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, driver and front passenger knee 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, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Cadillac Escalade weighs 945 to 1269 pounds more than the Lincoln Aviator. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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:

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:

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 Aviator’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade second among large premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Aviator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Lincoln.

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.

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 3.0 turbo V6.

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

The Escalade has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Aviator (24 vs. 20.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Aviator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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

The Escalade stops shorter than the Aviator:

For better traction, the Escalade has larger standard tires than the Aviator (275/50R22 vs. 255/55R20). The Escalade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Aviator (285/40R24 vs. 275/40R22).

The Escalade’s standard 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 20-inch wheels are standard on the Aviator. The Escalade’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional 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.

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.

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

The Escalade has 27.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Aviator (168.4 vs. 140.6).

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, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.9 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.

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Escalade’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Aviator doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Aviator’s (7900 vs. 5000 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 19th.

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’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Aviator doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Escalade’s available power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The Aviator doesn’t offer a power rear 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.

Both the Escalade and the Aviator offer available massaging front seats. The Escalade Platinum also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Aviator.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escalade will cost $545 to $6330 less than the Aviator over a five-year period.

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 outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost three to one during 2023.