The General has an-all new entry in the luxury full-size SUV segment this year, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. Much to their displeasure, the guys over at Ford do as well in the way of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator. GM owns the majority of the full-size SUV segment, so Lincoln didn’t make as many dramatic changes to the Navigator as Cadillac did the Escalade, however both SUVs have received an updated and improved powertrain and more upscale interiors for the new model year. So the question is, which one would you prefer?
Motor Trend recently asked their readers the same question. The Navigator has adopted Ford’s twin turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6 Ecoboost engine for 2015. This engine is down on power compared to the Escalade’s, producing 370 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, but Ford says it will trump the Escalade’s 8000-pound tow rating with a best-in-class 9000 pound max, mostly due to the torque available at low RPM which continues over a wider band.
The Lincoln also has a more spacious third row with more leg room, mostly due to its fully independent suspension setup. However MT says its CCD dampers don’t measure up to Cadillac’s lauded MagneRide magnetic damping technology. The Lincoln’s technology doesn’t quite match the Escalade’s either, with a somewhat archaic electronic architecture which doesn’t support active cruise control or lane-departure assist.
The Navigator is available with a top-level Reserve Package, designed to compete with Cadillac’s Platinum trim. This pack includes Trevino leather covering the doors, seats, and dash, Ziricote wood trim, polished 20-inch wheels, light-projected “welcome mats,” and motorized chrome runningboards. The interior of the new Escalade is much more upscale than in years prior, displaying Cadillac’s “cut and sew” mantra almost perfectly.
You know what the 2015 Escalade is all about, and now you know what the 2015 Navigator has to offer too. The only thing left to do is head on over to Motor Trend, check out their spectacular photos of the two full-sizers and vote for your favorite.
Comments
GM is putting a lot of force to revitalize its entire range of products, has led to the Escalade and the limits of their knowledge of technology, luxury and “real value for the dollar”
while; Ford maintains a very classic truck, without just cosmetic changes and only updates security and entertainment technologies
“Best” product is the Cadillac, but I Navigator is also a good and traditional choice.
I personally think that the full-size SUV should be made ​​somewhat smaller light without losing its internal capacity, they can do it, and save cost, weight and fuel
Regards from Spain
You can only engage with the desires of luxury buyers by offering them the best product today, and continuing to do so on into the future.
It’s very difficult to attract luxury buyers who demand the best when ‘the best’ you offer is a 7 year old truck. Sure, you can prop up sales by lowering the price, but that’ll destroy any sense of exclusivity when it can be had by anyone; AND the product is still underwhelming when compared to the rest of the vehicles in the segment.
It doesn’t matter if the Navigator outsells the Escalade. Those who buy the Navigator are doing so under the impression that they can present an ‘appearance of wealth even though it costs less!’ along with the many thousands who’ll believe the same thing. It’s not a luxury product, and never will be with that kind of approach.
The Escalade won’t have the problem, even if it sells fewer than the Navigator. It doesn’t mislead other motorists into thinking that it’s the ‘payless shoes’ of full-size luxury SUV’s as the Navigator does. The Escalade can say plenty about not just it’s engineering and materials, but of the owner.
Is this a joke? The Navigator doesn’t even come close to the Escalade!
Somebody.. Need to wake up .. Can you say …..RANGE ROVER.. KING OF BLING . Now thats king of bling…
Hey jonody! You are the one needed to wake up and read the article. Motor Trend is comparing two American vehicles, not the British copy of the American Jeep (that is the true origin of the Range Rover, believe it or not).
I currently drive a 2014 Camaro ZL1, and the last I was told, the car got 15 mi to the gallon (not entirely true lol more like 10). The truck design is awesome, but I would have loved to see GM take inititive and actually build and design an engine that was atleast 19 to 23 in the city. I understand back in the day they went cheap on the inside of the Cadillac’s in the 2000’s. But in todays economy this matters. Lastly, I will leave you with this. Cost of ownership I bet has gone up. If you finance it at an awesome rate., lets say you pay $1350 a month. Gas cost with a fill up a week (that’s being conservative) $90 @week, $360 a month. Now, average depreciation on the truck will be $500 a month, this isn’t interest rate, depreciation. So lets just say your paying $300 a month in interest. That means this truck cost, around $2, 510 a month!