Compare the2026 Lincoln Navigator LVS 2026 Cadillac Escalade-V

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Navigator L have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Escalade-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Navigator L has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade-V doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Navigator L and the Escalade-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and driver alert monitors.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the Navigator L has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade-V.

On the EPA test cycle the Navigator L gets better fuel mileage than the Escalade-V (15 city/22 hwy vs. 11 city/17 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Navigator L’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Escalade-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lincoln Navigator L uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Escalade-V requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Navigator L has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escalade-V’s standard fuel tank (27.8 vs. 24 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Navigator L higher (5 out of 10) than the Cadillac Escalade-V (2). This means the Navigator L produces up to 20.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escalade-V every 15,000 miles.

The Navigator L’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Escalade-V doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator L’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the Escalade-V (131.5 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The Navigator L Black Label handles at .75 G’s, while the Escalade-V pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Lincoln Navigator L may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade-V.

The Navigator L offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Escalade-V can only carry up to 7.

The Navigator L has 3.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escalade-V (172.1 vs. 168.4).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Navigator L’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade-V’s third row seats don’t recline.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator L when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The Escalade-V doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

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

The Navigator L’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Escalade-V’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Escalade-V is limited to 7200 pounds. The Navigator L offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator L 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 Navigator L can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Escalade-V can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Navigator L’s exterior PIN entry system. The Escalade-V doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Navigator L has standard heated front, second and third row seats (third row heated seats on Black Label), which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Cadillac doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Escalade-V.

The Navigator L’s standard oscillating air vents move back and forth and distribute air evenly inside the vehicle, making everyone more comfortable. The Escalade-V doesn’t offer oscillating vents.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The Escalade-V has never been chosen.