Cadillac Escalade vs. Lincoln Navigator

The competition between General Motors and Ford is perhaps the most well-documented rivalry in the automotive world. So, it only makes sense that their luxury marques—Cadillac vs. Lincoln, respectively—would butt heads just as fiercely.

The Escalade and the Navigator have dominated the full-size SUV market since before the turn of the century. In fact, they first hit the market within a year of each other. It’s safe to say they’re both built a sterling legacy and a diehard following, but which one is truly the best luxury SUV?

Let’s find out by comparing the 2024 models.

Trims and Price Point

When you buy a new luxe SUV, you know what you’re getting yourself into, and pinching pennies usually isn’t part of the equation. Still, it’s nice to know you’re getting what you pay for, so here are the available editions for the 2024 model year with their estimated MSRP (we’ve included pricing for both the regular and extended wheelbase versions of each).

2024 Cadillac Escalade:

2024 Lincoln Navigator:

Now, there are a few key takeaways we get from these numbers:

• The Escalade has a lot more trim and body length options—twelve to be exact, compared to the Navigator’s five.
• The Navigator only offers an elongated body in the top two trims, while the Escalade offers both body styles at all trim levels.
• The Escalade has a slightly lower price point for comparable trims, but it also has the highest price by far with the V-Series.

The overall cost for the pair is pretty much neck-and-neck. The performance-oriented Escalade V may be a steep purchase, but given their otherwise strikingly similar price tags, the Escalade wins by a long shot by offering a much greater range of selections, which doubles that of the Navigator.

Powertrains and Performance

Regardless of which model you choose, the 2024 Navigator is available with a single powerplant option. The engine is a Twin-Turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, which puts out 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with mandatory four-wheel drive. It’s undoubtably impressive for an across-the-board motor and drivetrain marriage.

On the other hand, the 2024 Escalade offers a few different configurations for motivation. Regular models come standard with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel as an option. The standard across non-V models is the 6.2-liter V8, which puts out a very respectable 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

A couple of optional upgrades are available in the Escalade as well. There’s the 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel, which cranks 277 horsies and 460 pound-feeters, and gets nearly 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. Then, of course, we have the absolute monster supercharged 6.2-liter direct-inject engine that puts out an ungodly 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. In their review, Car and Driver noted that they were able to get the Escalade V from zero to sixty in just 4.3 seconds.

The Navigator’s base engine has a bit more straight-line giddyap, but the Escalade has the most powerful motor by far, and it offers buyers more choices with multiple powertrain options—and that’s without even mentioning the Cadillac EV that’s coming out right around the corner.

Passenger Space and Cargo Dimensions

If you’re going for the full-on best luxury full-size SUV, you want it to be the most accommodating for your lifestyle. How does the Cadillac vs. Lincoln debate break out in terms of interior space?

Here are our takeaways:

• The Escalade has better head room overall.
• The Navigator has better shoulder room overall.
• While the regular body Navigator has more third row leg room, the Escalade and Escalade ESV has superior leg room in all other measurements.
• The Escalade and Escalade ESV have way more cargo capacity than the Navigator.

With better head and leg room, and an absolute abundance of cargo capacity, the Escalade’s interior dimensions blow the Navigator’s out of the water, making it the best large luxury SUV for families.

Technology and Safety

As you’d expect from a luxury vehicle, both of these king-sized SUVs are packed to the roof with awesome comfort and convenience features.

First, let’s talk infotainment.

The Escalade’s screen setup is massive, totaling over 38 inches of diagonal OLED display. It’s comprised of a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, which is offset by a 7.2-inch control panel and 16.9-inch center screen that displays media and navigation. It’s all set into an elegantly curved console with genuine wood trim and tactile buttons situated below to handle climate adjustment. Standard features are among the best in its class, and include Sirius XM, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Bult-in capability, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Two sound systems are available as well: there’s a 19-speaker AKG Studio in the three lower trims, and a bombastic 36-speaker AKG Studio in the Platinum and V-Series trims.

The Navigator’s screen setup is a little more in-your-face, with a 13.2-inch LCD center stack that feels like a small flat screen TV mounted to the console, and it’s paired with a standard 12-inch digital driver display. It all looks pretty cool, especially with the Lincoln’s super stylish trim designs, but it doesn’t feel quite as cohesive. It does have plenty of great features though, like Sirius XM, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-in capability, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, just like the Escalade. The available sound systems are similar too, albeit with less total speakers: either a Revel auto system with 14 speakers, or a beefed-up Revel Ultima 3D Audio System with 28 speakers.

So, while both provide plenty of snazziness to live up to the price tag, the Escalade has more total screen real estate and speakers, giving it the edge in this category. The Navigator also loses points for having that piano key-style shifter, which is an instant turn-off for many drivers who prefer the feel of a classic gear shifter.

Both of these fancy people movers are capable of self-driving on highways with Cadillac’s Super Cruise and Lincoln’s BlueCruise.

Both also have a ton of standard and optional ADAS. Both models have features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, parking assist, surround-view camera, and even available trailing assist settings. However, the Escalade throws in a couple of extra goodies, like available night vision settings and standard teen driver settings, which gives it the advantage over the Navigator once again.

Escalade vs. Navigator—Which is Better?

There’s no doubting that Lincoln crafts some fine automobiles, and they’ve really knocked it out of the park with the Navigator, which is why the Escalade’s excellence is that much more impressive by comparison. It has better connectivity technology, better safety features, and better interior space. What can we say? It’s just better.

Are you looking for a 2024 Escalade for sale in Columbia? Stop by and see us at the premier luxury car dealership of Central South Carolina, and while you’re at it, be sure to ask one of our friendly professionals about our military program and special offers on new vehicles.