When it comes to luxury cars, the market is full of various sizes of vehicles and levels of elegance with each one. You’ll also find different sizes, especially larger-sized SUVs. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator and the 2023 Cadillac Escalade are the most popular full-size vehicles. How well do these SUVs stack up to each other, and which is the better option to buy? Let’s take a look at the good and bad of each one. 

2023 Lincoln Navigator 

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator is one of the most luxurious full-size SUVs available, and it offers plenty to make driving it more than worth it. First, you will love the bountiful interior space inside the vehicle. The legroom in the front gives you 43.9 inches of space, while the third row offers 40.9 inches, which is pretty good for SUVs this size. According to U.S. News, its cargo area gives you 57.5 inches to the second row of seats. 

With tons of standard features, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Smartphone integration, a navigational system, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a panoramic roof, you get your money’s worth. Its infotainment system is straightforward without having to maneuver through tons of screens to find what you want. 

The engine that comes with the Lincoln Navigator is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Because it’s a smaller engine than the bulky V8s, fuel economy falls within an acceptable range for a large SUV. With the Navigator, you can expect 19 mpg combined for rear-wheel drive configuration and 18 mpg overall for 4WD, according to Autotrader. 

The biggest drawback with this model, however, is its steering. It’s not as capable or smooth as other competitor vehicles, like the Escalade, offer. It instead feels numb during its operation. 

2023 Cadillac Escalade

Powering up the Escalade are three engine options. You get a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp, a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 generating 682 hp, and a 3.0-liter diesel V6 producing 277 hp. 

With a closer look, you’ll find a few advantages of this model. First, it has a spacious interior, offering 121 cu-ft of storage if you fold down the rear seats. You’ll also get plenty of head and leg room for the first two row seats. The third row has a bit less space to work with, though. 

For technology, the Cadillac Escalade has some of the best features you can ask for. With a premium sound system, WiFi hotspot, heated front seats with seat memory, rain-sensing wipers, and heated steering wheel. You’ll also get top-notch handling and driving quality. 

As for drawbacks, the Escalade comes with poor fuel economy, mainly from the V8 engines. You can expect to get 14 mpg in the city and 21 mpg while traveling on the highway. 

Which one is the better choice?

While it’s a tough choice, we’d have to say that the 2023 Lincoln Navigator would be the better option for a few different reasons. Both models have enormous storage and passenger space, but the Navigator offers the extended body style, which gives you an extra foot on the wheelbase. Opting for the extended version will cost you about $3,000 on top of the price, but it gives you even more space to work with. 

Another reason the Navigator edges out the Escalade is the audio system you can get with this SUV. The model offers a 28-speaker unit that allows you to listen to your favorite tunes through every corner of the vehicle. You’ll also get the Sync 4 and Co-Pilot systems, which give you many driver-assistant features and a hands-free driving experience. 

The last reason is the price. While both models can cost you more than $100,000, the Escalade’s V-series top trim actually begins at $150,000. With the Navigator, the total price fully loaded will run you approximately $123,000. 

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator and the Cadillac Escalade provide ample storage space, a comfortable ride, and plenty of helpful driving assistance features. Choosing one boils down to what you need from your full-size SUV, but you might want to consider leaning toward the Navigator as you get much of the same items as its competitor but for a bit less money.