It’s the clash of the titans, and they are also the epitome of the American luxury automobile market. We are talking about the 2022 Cadillac Escalade taking on its nemesis, the Lincoln Navigator. Both are the flagships of their brands, the pinnacle of the three-row, full-size SUV segment, and come in standard and long-wheelbase versions. In many ways, the Escalade and Navigator are similar to each other and offer a plethora of modern technology, plenty of cabin space and even the pricing is just over $75,000, but in terms of their nature, the Cadillac is more involving to drive, while the Lincoln commands a regal road presence.
Godzilla Vs Kong: Both Are Monsters
If you park both the Escalade and the Navigator side-by-side, they manage to occupy quite a real estate. Let’s first start with the Caddy. The standard-wheelbase Escalade’s length is 211.9 inches that translate into 34.9 inches of third-row legroom with 25.5 cu. ft. cargo capacity behind the last row. The long-wheelbase trim, on the other hand, measures 227 inches in length and offers an impressive 36.6 inches of third-row legroom and 41.5 cu. ft. cargo capacity behind it. This gigantic SUV is available in five variants — Luxury, Premium Luxury, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport and Sport Platinum. The iconic manufacturer has retained the SUV’s signature vertical LED DRLs nestled in the front bumper along with an extended vertical taillight strip which starts from below the roof spoiler and goes all the way down to the Escalade badge just over the bumper. It continues to sport a bold appearance with a massive blunt looking front grille, but now for the first time, it comes with an all-black mesh nose that’s exclusively available in the Sport and Sport Platinum trims. The two-entry level versions come with a chrome studded grille while the Premium Luxury Platinum boasts four prominent strips garnished in chrome.
The Navigator isn’t too far behind when it comes to dimensions and interior space for the passengers. With the standard trim a whisker short at 210 inches in length, the long-wheelbase one at 221.9 inches, 5 inches shorter than its rival. The Lincoln has given it a clean and classic design with the typical in your face chrome front fascia with slim DRLs and front fog lamps and traditional LED headlight cluster. At the rear, the Navigator's tail lights run across the tailgate and it sports a chunky chrome finishing. Lincoln offers a range of wheel sizes starting from 20-inch wheels size to 22-inch, while the Escalade comes standard with the latter size.
Welcome To The Starship Enterprise: Beautiful Interiors
Cadillac has really outdone itself by giving the Escalade a swanky new cabin that will attract both the tech-savvy lot and those looking to be pampered in the lap of luxury. The first thing that will grab your attention is the 38-inch curved OLED display that has double the pixel density of a 4K TV. This system is made of three screens — a 7.2-inch touch control panel driver information center to the driver’s left, a 14.2-inch instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 16.9-inch-diagonal infotainment screen to the driver’s right. Cadillac has integrated a blend of different types of switches for convenience. The cabin comes with touch controls and physical switches, including rotary dials. The interiors are available in eight different themes, starting from the classic deluxe look with wooden panel finish to a more youthful sporty flair. The Escalade is the first vehicle to be equipped with AKG’s automobile sound system, and the top-of-the-line variant comes with 36 speakers. The second-row passengers can opt for the additional 12.6-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The Navigator, on the other hand, has a traditional cabin layout with a 13.2-inch multimedia floating touchscreen at the center and has a massive 12-inch configurable digital cluster with a new and improved head-up display. Lincoln now provides second-row passengers with a new 5.8-inch digital controller that has climate and audio settings in the rear. It also offers an optional entertainment package for the rear passengers, with a 10.1-inch screen and wireless Bluetooth headphones. The Navigator features a 28 speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system to create a calm and peaceful cabin atmosphere. It has upgraded the massage system and the front seats now boast of a 30-way electronic seating position while second-row seats come with standard heat, ventilation and massage capability with Active Motion.
The Escalade and Lincoln Navigator Offer A First Class Experience
The Escalade is available in a 6.2-liter V8 petrol engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and a 277 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel with the same torque as its V8 sibling. Both the SUVs come in either rear-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive. As expected, the Cadillac flagship is stacked with features like Super Cruise driver assistance technology which enables hands-free driving on highways in the United States and Canada, using LiDAR map data, GPS and a network of cameras and radar sensors. It’s equipped with an automated lane change and driver attention system to let drivers know when to pay more attention to the road. To further enhance the experience and dynamics, the 2022 Escalade gets an all-new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control, according to the company, it’s the world’s fastest reacting suspension technology by using sensors to continually “read” the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly and new air suspension system. It's also equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD), which ensures the SUV receives precise traction and power to the rear wheels.
The Navigator is no slouch, as it's powered by a single unit — a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It also has an array of intuitive features like adaptive suspension for a smooth ride. This SUV comes packed with 12 sensors for precise handling and ride quality, steering control and feedback and a responsive braking system. Lincoln offers the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package along with Trailer Reverse Guidance, which uses cameras to provide multiple views along with steering guidance graphics to assist in backing up and maneuvering a trailer. The technology works with Pro-Trailer Backup Assist to make backing up a trailer or boat as effortless as turning a dial. The Navigator comes standard with features like Intersection Assist, 2.0, Forward Collision Warning, Post Collision Braking, Dynamic Brake Support, Pedestrian Detection etc.