Compare the2026 Cadillac Escalade ESVVS 2026 Lincoln Navigator L

The Cadillac Escalade ESV 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 L doesn’t offer knee airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade ESV (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 L doesn’t offer a night vision system.

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

Both the Escalade ESV and the Navigator L 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 ESV’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Navigator L’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 ESV’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 ESV’s fuel efficiency. The Navigator L doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escalade ESV has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Navigator L. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the Escalade ESV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator L:

The Escalade ESV stops shorter than the Navigator L:

The Escalade ESV 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 L doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Escalade ESV 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 L; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Escalade ESV has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Navigator L doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade ESV’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Navigator L (134.1 inches vs. 131.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Escalade ESV’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Navigator L’s (43.3 feet vs. 43.9 feet).

The front grille of the Escalade ESV 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 L doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escalade ESV 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 L.

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

The Escalade ESV’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Navigator L’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 ESV’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator L’s (7700 vs. 6600 pounds).

The Escalade ESV’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Navigator L does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Escalade ESV 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 L doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escalade ESV’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 L doesn’t offer a power rear door.

When the Escalade ESV 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 L’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Escalade ESV’s Adaptive Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Navigator L doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

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

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