Compare the2026 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2026 Lincoln Navigator

The Cadillac Escalade has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Navigator doesn’t offer knee airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade (except Base) 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 Navigator doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cadillac Escalade’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Lincoln Navigator does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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

There are over 18 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Escalade’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Lincoln.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lincoln is rated below average.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade’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 shorter than the Navigator:

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 Luxury/Sport/Platinum 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 better maneuverability, the Escalade’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (39.5 feet vs. 41.7 feet). The Escalade with 24” wheels’ turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Navigator’s (40.6 feet vs. 41.7 feet).

The front grille of the Escalade uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Navigator doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escalade has 4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and .8 inches more third row headroom than the Navigator.

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

The Escalade’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Navigator’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (7900 vs. 6200 pounds).

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 Navigator.

The Escalade has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Navigator (1570 vs. 1360 lbs.).

The Escalade has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Navigator (1580 vs. 1360 lbs.).

The Escalade Luxury/Sport/Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and infotainment readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Navigator doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Navigator doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Navigator doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2025 issue and they ranked the Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport 4WD first. They ranked the Lincoln Navigator Black Label third.

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

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the Lincoln Navigator by almost three to one during 2025.