Cadillac Escalade vs Lincoln Navigator
Full-size SUVs · head to head, 2010–2026
The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator were both sold for 17 model years (2010–2026). Among the Escalade's own years, its best bet is 2020; years to avoid: 2021, 2023, 2026; the newest year rated a good buy is 2020. Among the Navigator's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2019; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Cadillac Escalade
Full-size SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2020
- Avoid 2021, 2023, 2026
- Be careful 2019, 2022, 2024–2025
Lincoln Navigator
Full-size SUV · 2010–2026
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2019
- Be careful 2018, 2020–2021, 2025
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Escalade year says nothing about whether it beats a Navigator. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Cadillac Escalade | Lincoln Navigator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | AVOIDOnly 1.1 years of owner reports, already running high | TOO NEW | Side by side |
| 2025 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | AVOIDSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and power train | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | AVOIDSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and power train | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2020 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 0.6× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2017 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2016 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2015 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2014 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2013 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2012 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2011 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2010 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2026 Cadillac Escalade | 2026 Lincoln Navigator | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | AVOID | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 6.2L 8-cyl 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 13–17 mpg | 17 mpg |
| Seats | — | — |
| Third row | — | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 43 | 2 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Escalade first listed | Escalade Sport+Touring Pkg last listed | Navigator Black Label first listed | Navigator Reserve last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | — | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | — | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | — | — | — |
| Ventilated front seats | No | — | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | — | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | Standard | — | — | — |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Standard | — | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | — | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Escalade, Navigator).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Cadillac Escalade
24 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 19 repair programs.
- Extended coverage The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. This special coverage covers if an engine failure occurs in the vehicle as a result… (N252494003, 2021–2024 models)
- Extended coverage The transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000km), whichever occurs first,… (N242454441, 2021–2022 models)
- Extended coverage A condition that could cause the cylinder 2 glow plug to fail. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was… (N262552620, 2021 models)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. Special Coverage. (N252536751, 2022 models)
Lincoln Navigator
5 manufacturer programs on file: 1 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine. This noise might occur as a rattle when starting the engine after the vehicle was turned off for an extended period of time or… (21N03, 2018–2020 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used: no model year is rated a good buy for both, so pick the model you prefer and then its best year below.
- Shopping around 2023: the Navigator is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.2× usual), while the Escalade is rated avoid (serious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2020: the Escalade is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.7× usual), while the Navigator is rated careful (serious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Escalade 2021, 2023, 2026; Navigator 2019.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Escalade 2020; Navigator 2024.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.