Cadillac and Lincoln have been in a luxury battle for decades; both have their ride or die fans. The 2024 Cadillac Escalade and the 2024 Lincoln Navigator are the latest competitors in a long line of prestige SUVs, but how do they fare and which one do you think would be best for you? Let’s find out below!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Only minor changes have been made to the 2024 Escalade and Navigator models.
- The Escalade is slightly higher in price but is bigger than the Navigator with more options and upgrades.
- The Escalade has more towing capacity than the Navigator.
Latest Changes to the Escalade and Navigator
There have only been a few minor changes to the 2024 Escalade and Navigator models—they are essentially the same as they were in 2023. The Escalade now comes standard with GM’s Super Cruise hand-free driving system above the base model. A three-year OnStar Premium Plan was also added to all trim-levels.
Rear-wheel drive in the Navigator is long gone—all trims now have four-wheel-drive. Lincoln also added its own hands-free driving assistance system, BlueCruise 1.0. Finally, Lincoln’s popular Flight Blue Metallic color is once again on the roster, replacing Ocean Blue.
Trims and Price Points
The Escalade has six trim levels to the Navigator’s five. As luxury vehicles, both are more spendy than the average SUV. The Escalade has a slightly higher starting MSRP at all levels.
The Escalade’s trim-levels and starting prices:
- Luxury: $86,890
- Premium Luxury: $98,190
- Sport: $101,190
- Premium Luxury Platinum: $115,690
- Sport Platinum: $115,690
- Escalade-V: $154,290
The Navigator’s trim levels and starting prices:
- Premiere: $82,765
- Reserve: Starting at $95,325
- Black Label: $110,750
- Black Label L: $113,795
- Reserve L: $98,350
Performance & Horsepower
The Escalade’s powerful 6.2L V8 engine delivers 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Buyers also have the option of a diesel inline six-cylinder with 277 horsepower and 460 lbs.-ft. of torque. Both are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. By comparison, the Lincoln Navigator has only one option—a 3.5L V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that delivers 440 horsepower and 510 lbs.-ft. of torque.
While it has less power engine-wise, the Escalade is the clear winner when it comes to maximum towing capacity—8,300 pounds to the Navigator’s 8,100 pounds.
Comfort and Spaciousness
Both SUVs are big in physical size and sophistication, but in terms of comfort, it’s the Escalade’s game. It’s larger and seats up to eight passengers. With heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a power-folding third row, its roominess and comfort are hard to top.
Despite its stylishness, the Navigator is a little more cramped. It, too, can seat up to eight but it is smaller in every aspect, making it a tighter fit for passengers. For example, occupants in the first row of the Escalade get 42.3 inches of headroom and 44.5 inches of legroom. The Navigator offers a bit less space—41.8 inches of headroom and 43.9 inches of legroom.
The Escalade also rules the roost in terms of maximum cargo volume, which at 121 cubic feet is considerably bigger than the Navigator’s 103.3 cubic feet. The Escalade has 72.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Compare that to the Navigator’s respective 57.5 cubic feet and 19.3 cubic feet in those areas.
Tech and Infotainment
The Escalade and the Navigator share many of the same high-end tech features, including premium radio and smartphone, but the Escalade’s massive and beautiful 38-inch curved OLED display that steals the show and offers everything you need on the go. It’s a more user-friendly and immersive experience than most infotainment and display systems and is really three screens that span multiple areas. The AKG Studio 19-speaker sound system makes the ride even more sweet.
The Navigator features a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 14 speakers. It works well, but doesn’t have the same majesty as the Escalade’s offerings.
The Luxury SUV for You
There’s no denying that the 2024 Lincoln Navigator is a great SUV that gets the job done in style, but the 2024 Cadillac Escalade is hard to beat. It stands out among luxury vehicles for its comfort, many options, and stunning beauty. While slightly more expensive, it’s worth all the hype it gets. Come to our dealership and experience the Escalade yourself!