Cadillac’s all-important Escalade SUV is facing fresh competition from crosstown rival Lincoln Motor Company, which today introduced an all-new Lincoln Navigator SUV at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.
Perhaps the biggest change between the 2018 Lincoln Navigator and the outgoing model is the jump to an aluminum-alloy body, which contributed to a 200-pound reduction in curb weight while permitting engineers to reinvest some of the savings into other areas, such as sound-killing laminated glass. That ought to put it in approximately the same territory heft-wise as the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. A long-wheelbase “Navigator L” will continue to be offered alongside the standard model, too, competing against the Escalade ESV.
Think the Escalade’s brawny, 6.2-liter Ecotec3 V8 is enough to keep it safe? Think again; output from the Lincoln Navigator’s twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has been bumped up to 450 horsepower, which is 30 ponies more than the Ecotec puts out. Its smaller displacement and forced induction mean that it ought to deliver better fuel economy, too – in EPA test cycles, at least, if not the real world. The new 10-speed automatic transmission, co-developed by Ford and GM, ought to help with that.
Of course, previous iterations of the Lincoln Navigator got points off for interior quality and materials selection. We’ve yet to sit in the all-new SUV, but early indicators are promising, with high-quality leather and wood veneers deployed sparingly throughout. It’s hard to find much to complain about there.
By this point, the current-generation Cadillac Escalade is just a tad over three years old – hardly elderly by anyone’s standards – but the completely-redesigned Lincoln Navigator has all the makings of a far stronger contender than its predecessor. Cadillac, for whom the Escalade is inexpressibly important, might have cause for concern.
Moving opposite to market trends.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
View Comments
If you call that competition?
Lincoln still has image building to do the Cadillac model has already earned. Also I am not impressed by the look.
It looks terrific in real life minus the wheels.
First Ford cribs Aston-Martin, now Lincoln cribs Range Rover. This is far better than the current Navigator, but Escalade has nothing to fret.
You're forgetting when Lincoln cribbed Bentley!
I did forget! You are correct; Lincoln absolutely cribbed Bentley!
The new Navigator looks very much more upmarket than the current model. Which is good for Lincoln, it's exactly what it needs. I like the industrial design direction where this brand is headed; the 2018 Navigator, Continental and the MKZ are all really slick looking; I love that blue it works great on the Navigator. I'm thinking they're making a solid case for themselves.
Anyhow, the Escalade wins because it has the better name equity; purchasing an Escalade is about as flamboyant and in your face as it gets. And that's why you do so; people want to feel special every time they get behind the wheel of a big bad new Escalade. Navigator doesn't have this, yet, but I can see it working itself uphill - it looks great and the front end is bold. And, it better come with those gullwing doors as an option for extra cool points.
The materials look nice enough in the pics at Ford Authority, but the design, inside and out, does nothing for me. It's as if they started with Range Rover's dated look, realized they made a giant mistake, and compounded it by throwing all sorts of tacky little details at it .
Cadillac can and will likely soon up their game, and at that point I suggest Lincoln throw in the towel.
I don't think Cadillac has much to worry about in terms of sales at the moment. Looking at the sales figures between the two, the Escalade typically outsells the Navigator 2-to-1, despite being more expensive. Having said that, Cadillac shouldn't just sit on their hands. The new Navigator makes a VERY compelling case for itself:
- It's expected to have the highest towing rating of any premium full-size SUV (the current one already bests the Escalade by 900lbs)
- It will likely be quieter than the Escalade (I'm speculating, but Lincoln went to great efforts for quietness)
- It will likely be more comfortable than the Escalade (heated and cooled 30-way power seats are standard on the Navigator. I've been in the new Continental with its 30-way power seats, and they are supremely comfortable)
- It will be more powerful and more efficient than the Escalade (3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 with 450hp and 500lb-ft of torque)
- You get things like standard 360-degree cameras, etc.
- It looks less like an Expedition than the Escalade does a Tahoe
The 2017 Escalade is virtually the same as it was for 2015, with no significant changes having been made. If they don't refresh it relatively soon they will no doubt start bleeding sales. The current 10 year old Navigator just doesn't have the luxury to compete directly, but the new one does, and I think it's making the best sales case of the nameplate's lifetime right now. Also, a new Infiniti QX80 is on the way, as is the BMW X7 and Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer. So an onslaught of competition is on the way! As for Caddy vs. Lincoln, my prediction is that the new Navigator will beat the Escalade (as it exists today) in comparison tests while the Escalade soldiers on as the sales king, at least for now.
My thoughts exactly! Lincoln has certainly delivered in making the new Navigator competitive on all fronts! While the Escalade is expected to maintain the sales crown, Cadillac must respond with a bigger, more plush Escalade to remain at the top! There's no reason to doubt this new Navigator will indeed be eating into the Escalade's market share!
Well said!
GM has first mover advantage, since Ford left these full sized SUVs for dead, while GM made a long term heavy investments , starting eight years ago. That first mover advantage left Ford flat footed for the last four years, having obsolete product.
GM still has that first mover advantage working in their favor. It won't be too long after the Expedition and Navigator hit the market that the all new GM full sized SUV's will follow.
Mum is the word, but just by paying attention to the more recent investments made at Arlington Texas, GM's big SUV factory, I'd bet on a series of advanced new models to follow.
GM made the right bet on the full sized SUVs. It was a gamble, but it paid off in a big way.
GM is now also poised to do well with it's vast new lineup of Crossover/SUVs. About seven within the last 12 months.
Overall, GM has breadth of product, along with a wide marketing footprint of brands and dealerships, that no other company has. So long as GM can make quality and offer distinction, they can add new vehicles with no sweat.
I'll admit that the Navigator (Range Rover and Bentley mash up) is pretty nice and that blue interior is sleek, but the image of driving an Escalade is much more prominent & like Yoshiaki said, flamboyant. I've never seen a Navigator on the road and though "I wish I was driving that" like I do an Escalade
I looked at a car or truck that had a blue interior and said I want a interior this color!
Honestly, I think Ghetto when i see Escalade..
big, loud, outlandish, overdose on chrome
I'm Canadian.... I associate load and outlandish with Trump...
The Navigators design is definitely opulent but not overstated. It will do well provided no one puts a vinyl roof on it.
The Navigators current production plan is to build volume exceeding that of Cadillac. They may just do that but the war would be won by GMC as their volumes are through the roof.
People who own the Escalade don't agree with your assessment. Ghetto? That hater assessment on the Escalade is played out a long time ago.
The silver lining, Cadillac finally has half decent competition and a reason to do a major overhaul of the escalade! Can't wait to see the new escalade in two years or so!
The interior of the Navigator looks really good for sure. Abut my good lord does that exterior looks attrouciously hedious.
Interior looks good outside of that 10 inch tablet slapped right in the middle of the dash.
But that exterior looks more uglier than that escalade
Lincoln is playing very well to do interior design inspired by the wonderful 50's; Colors of pastel tones and with much attention by the detail.
In that of the details Cadillac has to improve a little; But Cadillac today has a lot of technology and breakthroughs.
This Lincoln '18 is just as good as Escalade but in a very very different style