Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 36 advantages that the Cadillac Escalade ESV AWD has over the Lincoln Navigator 4x4.
| MSRP Range | |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV AWD | |
| Lincoln Navigator 4x4 | |
Engine
The standard engine in the Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 is more powerful, with more horsepower than the standard engine in the Navigator 4x4 5.4L V8, 403 HP vs. 310 HP.
With 417 lb-ft of torque, the standard engine in Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 has more low-end power than the standard engine in the Navigator 4x4 5.4L V8, which has 365 lb-ft of torque.
The Escalade ESV AWD, with it's standard engine, has a lower power-to-weight ratio than the Navigator 4x4 with it's standard engine, 14.8 to 19.9. Power-to-weight ratio illustrates the relationship between curb weight and horsepower (Curb Weight / Horsepower). As a rule, the lower the ratio, the faster the vehicle.
Reliability
The standard engine in the Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 has an larger displacement than the standard engine in the Navigator 4x4 5.4L V8, 6199 cc vs. 5408 cc. Engines with larger displacements can produce more power, with less stress, reducing wear and prolonging engine life.
WarrantyPowertrain Warranty
Cadillac's powertrain warranty offers better coverage than the Lincoln's. This warranty covers most of the parts that make the car move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.
| Powertrain Warranty Miles | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | 100000 | |||
| Navigator 4x4 | 70000 | |||
Corrosion Warranty
Cadillac's corrosion warranty provides better protection than Lincoln's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).
| Corrosion Warranty Months | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | 72 | |||
| Navigator 4x4 | 60 | |||
Fuel Economy and Emissions
The Escalade ESV AWD has a larger fuel tank than the Navigator 4x4 Base, 31.0 gal. vs. 28.0 gal. This may give it a greater range before having to stop to refuel.
The Escalade ESV AWD 6.2L V8 gets more miles from a tank of fuel than the Navigator 4x4 5.4L V8, 434 mi. vs. 420 mi.
Safety and SecurityAirbags
Both the Escalade ESV AWD and the Navigator 4x4 feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.
Children and smaller adults may not be safe in a seat with a front passenger airbag. In fact, front airbags can be especially dangerous to rear-facing carseats. The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard passenger airbag cutoff switch, allowing the the front passenger airbag to be manually deactivated. A deactivation switch is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
General Safety
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, longer vehicles can protect you better in both single and multiple-vehicle crashes because they have longer crumple zones, which can reduce damage to the internal safety cage and spread the crash forces. The Escalade ESV AWD is longer than the Navigator 4x4 Base, 222.9 in. vs. 208.4 in.
The Escalade ESV AWD features the following available engine drive types, shown by trim:
| Driveline | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | AWD | |||
| Navigator 4x4 | 4WD-PT | |||
An anti-theft stereo is offered as a Standard feature on the Escalade ESV AWD. This provides a strong theft deterrent, as the radio is disabled and rendered useless when removed from the vehicle. This anti-theft feature is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
The Escalade ESV AWD come with an Standard vehicle theft tracking/notification system that can assist authorities to track and pin-point vehicle location in the event of theft. This type of theft tracking system is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
The Escalade ESV AWD has Standard traction control - a system that combines electronics, drive train control, and ABS to monitor and control wheel slip and maximize traction, improving safety, acceleration and cornering ability, especially on slippery road surfaces. A traction control system is Not Available on the Navigator 4x4.
CapacitiesInterior Space
The Escalade ESV AWD has more interior space than the Navigator 4x4 in the following areas:
| Leg Room, Front | Hip Room, Front | Shoulder Room, Front | Head Room, 3rd row | Hip Room, Rear | Leg Room, Rear | Shoulder Room, Rear | Shoulder Room, 3rd row | Head Room, Front | ||||||||||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | 41.3 in. | 60.5 in. | 65.2 in. | 38.1 in. | 61.8 in. | 39.5 in. | 65.2 in. | 64.7 in. | 41.1 in. | |||||||||||
| Navigator 4x4 Base | 41.1 in. | 60.2 in. | 63.3 in. | 37.6 in. | 59.9 in. | 39.1 in. | 63.7 in. | 51.9 in. | 39.5 in. | |||||||||||
| Navigator 4x4 L | 41.2 in. | 60.2 in. | 63.3 in. | 38.0 in. | 59.9 in. | 39.1 in. | 63.7 in. | - | 39.5 in. | |||||||||||
Cargo Space
The Escalade ESV AWD has more cargo volume compared to the Navigator 4x4. The additional cargo space means more room to store and transport packages, luggage, etc.
| Cargo Volume | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | 45.8 cu. ft. | |||
| Navigator 4x4 Base | 18.1 cu. ft. | |||
| Navigator 4x4 L | 42.6 cu. ft. | |||
Standard front fold-down armrests provide the driver and front passenger a place to rest their forearms for added comfort and reduced driving fatigue. Front fold-down armrests are Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
Standard second row fold-down armrests provide a place for the second row passengers to to rest their forearms for added comfort. Second row fold-down armrests are Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
Payload and Towing
To compensate for the increased load placed upon the suspension during towing, the Escalade ESV AWD has Standard automatic load-leveling, which automatically adjusts its suspension height for the best possible ride and handling.
Suspension and HandlingGeneral Suspension
The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard adaptive variable suspension that can electronically sense and adapt to changing road surface conditions to provide optimum vehicle handling characteristics. This type of suspension is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
Chassis
The Escalade ESV AWD is shorter than the Navigator 4x4 L , 222.9 in. vs. 223.3 in., so it will be easier to handle and maneuver.
The 'track' (distance between the wheels), of the Escalade ESV AWD is greater than that of the Navigator 4x4. A wider track produces better handling and a more stable ride.
| Track, Front | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD | 68.2 in. | |||
| Navigator 4x4 | 67.0 in. | |||
The Escalade ESV AWD's wheelbase is longer than the Navigator 4x4's, 130.0 in. vs. 119.0 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.
Wheels and Tires
The lower profile tires (aspect ratio) that come standard on the Escalade ESV AWD may provide better handling capability than those on the Navigator 4x4. Details below:
| Tire Aspect Ratio | ||||
| Escalade ESV AWD Base | 65 | |||
| Escalade ESV AWD Luxury | 45 | |||
| Escalade ESV AWD Platinum Edition | 45 | |||
| Escalade ESV AWD Premium | 45 | |||
| Navigator 4x4 | 70 | |||
Additional Features
The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard hands free or voice activated telephone. This feature is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
The Escalade ESV AWD provides a Standard separate rear heating and A/C system for the rear passengers comfort. A separate rear heating and A/C system is Not Available in the Navigator 4x4.
With a Standard power sunroof, a touch of a button is all Escalade ESV AWD (Luxury, Platinum Edition, Premium) owners need to let the sun or the stars shine in. In contrast, bringing in the great outdoors will be more difficult in the Navigator 4x4 as a power sunroof is Optional.
The Escalade ESV AWD features a Standard passenger-side exterior mirror that automatically tilts downward when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, improving the driver's rear vision. A tilt-down rearview mirror is Not Available on the Navigator 4x4.