Cadillac revealed perhaps its most important product in years at the 2018 New York Auto Show: the 2019 XT4 compact crossover. Across the show floor, its American rival, Lincoln, also had a utility vehicle to show off, but it’s a very different animal.
Ford Authority was on hand to cover the Lincoln Aviator concept’s debut, and the vehicle has us hoping Cadillac’s future large crossover doesn’t copy the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.
Why? The Aviator will feature Ford’s new D6 platform, a rear-wheel-drive based architecture also capable of supporting all-wheel drive. The platform also allows the Aviator concept to take advantage of wonderful proportions with a planted look and stretched dash-to-axle ratio. It also shows Lincoln didn’t have just a one-hit wonder on its hands with the incredibly well-received Lincoln Navigator.
In terms of its size, Cadillac doesn’t have a vehicle at current to compete with the future Aviator. The SUV will boast three rows and potentially share some running gear with the next Ford Explorer, which should also feature the D6 platform. The future Cadillac XT6 will likely be the Aviator’s direct rival from Cadillac, though we have a feeling, as mentioned, it will be a C1-platform twin and share plenty with the Traverse and Enclave.
Lincoln plans to offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Aviator and the production car will likely share many of the technologies the concept previews, such as phone-as-key technology, a suite of active safety systems—powered by Co-Pilot360—and “prompts” delivered via SYNC. The prompts will have drivers overcome various situations.
For example, if the Aviator realizes its running low on fuel, it will connect the navigation system to punch in coordinates for the closest fuel station.
It’s unclear when we’ll see Cadillac’s answer to the Aviator, but Lincoln plans to roll the handsome SUV out to market in 2019.
Comments
Right or wrong, Lincoln’s strategy is they want their Aviator to be a mini-Navigator vehicle aka a “baller” vehicle…
The Lincoln is very nice…Almost the same in style and features as the new Navigator. Very nice design inside and out.
However, so many people are confusing this as a XT4 competitor when it is not; this is much larger (3-row) and will be more expensive. Like another said, the XT6 will be more in line with this competition-wise.
Both Lincoln and Cadillac showed great crossovers, but in different ways.
First gen XT6 will be fwd and will have almost the same interior as the XT4. Think of XT5/CT6 mixed. Don’t exspect 2 see “Escala” inside. Escala stuff will start from the new Lade.
Jonas,
I don’t think people are so much confusing the two of them and thinking of them as competitors. Rather we are saying Cadillac has been hyping XT4 for quite some time as the beginning of a renaissance and a product offensive that will fundamentally change the brand and be the first of the de Nysschen-era Cadillacs. This was supposed to the first product created on his watch. Viewed against that backdrop, XT4 was a huge letdown. It’s really nothing new and certainly nothing that represents a different design direction or an elevated level of quality.
Lincoln, by comparison hasn’t hyped Aviator at all. It was a total surprise and greatly exceeds any expectations folks had for a MKT replacement. It is beautiful and has been characterized as an “American Land Rover” by impressed folks all across the internet. I consider that high praise.
So, it isn’t that we think XT4 and Aviator compete. Rather it is that Cadillac underwhelmed and Lincoln stunned folks. I think the world was expecting it to be the other way around. If I were Mary Barra, I’d be thinking long and hard about making a job offer to Kumar Galhotra and sending Johann de Nychssen back to Africa.
If I were Marry Barra, I’d have GM’s engineering teams taking the steps necessary to:
Make the VSS-S support a longitudinal RWD/AWD variant.
Or
Make the VSS-R fit for CUV duty.
“It is beautiful and has been characterized as an “American Land Rover” by impressed folks all across the internet. I consider that high praise.”
You think that is a good thing and proud of the Aviator being “American Land Rover”? I’m not impressed with Durango rear end, Jaguar like grill and Range Rover like profile. Lincoln needs to be original and stand out from traffic.
Kumar Galhotra don’t need to put his grubby hands on anything GM or Cadillac for that matter. Look at the poor execution of the Continental. Also, the interior of both this and the Navigator are not runaway success stories.
The Cadillac XT4 is more important to Cadillac than the Aviator is to Lincoln since Aviator been around in early ’00s. The XT4 is Cadillac’s most important vehicle ever since the brand does not have anything like this before.
Junk box!
Agreed. Both Cadillac and Lincoln now headed in right direction. Happy to see it happening…
Last time it was a mini-Navigator as well, like almost entirely.
Not surprising for Lincoln to bring this out, seeing as they already hit the other major SUV segments. The MKC, the most direct rival from Lincoln to Cadillac’s XT4, has been on the market for years. Now that Cadillac has the XT4, the next logical step is a three row crossover under Escalade. I bet we see it, or at least a preview of it, this time next year.
As for what the three row Cadillac will ride on, its still too early to say. It could ride on the new VSSR, Omega, C1, or an entirely different platform. Reading and listening to the engineers and designers of the XT4, they claim the XT4 has a totally different platform from any other GM car, although it is likely just a heavily worked over E2.
Cadillac has a lot of work in the years ahead to iron out where each vehicle specifically competes and get their platforms in order.
The three row CUV from Cadillac better be on the Omega platform. GM cannot afford to let Lincoln steal Tier 1 Luxury status away from Cadillac.
There is no denying that this really is a strong design. As a Lifelong GM fan, I am happy about this. Strong competition breeds better products.
Thats the problem with one company having 4 different brands, parts sharing is inevitable and you get knocked for it. I just feel like Cadillac keeps dropping the ball with product, its taking them an awful long time to come out with “FWD” crossovers. They have a plethora of those. I would understand if its something brand new and rwd like omega but not tweaked fwd chevy platforms.
They have 2.
Do you know what a “plethora” is Jefe?
The GM family not just Cadillac smart guy.
It’s truly crazy that Cadillac can’t clean up their focus and strategy. Their designs and offerings are quite dizzying and confusing. Their new light design even more so confusing as it looks like a Honda CR-V or Volvo lighting element. I love the look of the new Navigator and love the same scheme that the Aviator followed. If this is the direction theyre headed I can’t wait to see these hallowed names like Towncar and Continental next in the new design language. I loved the name plates like Eldorado, Seville, and Fleetwood. Here’s hoping Cadillac rethinks and clarifies their product strategy and design language.
Let me start off by saying I am hardcore GM guy. I know this Aviator does not directly compete with the XT4, but I have to admit Lincoln trumped Cadillac with this SUV.
I am optimistic that Cadillac will feel the pressure and step up their game all around. I am eager to see what Cadillac brings when GM’s new architecture plan begins to be implemented.
Competition breeds innovation. Let’s see what you’re made of, GM.
Johan de Nysschen is not an innovator. He’s a copier, and the XT4 suggests he doesn’t even do great copies. I don’t know why so many people think JdN will be an innovator, despite his bluster of “we’ll stun the world”. There’s nothing in his background that suggests innovation. He’s a salesman. But people can always imagine whatever they want about the future.
Wrong. You just don’t know about future products that are very innovative and luxurious.
If the XT4 is JDN’s first offering showing Cadillac’s new direction we’re in trouble. The Aviator is gorgeous, the XT4 is okay at best – certainly not the home run the Aviator is which I think most agree. Also look at the interiors – XT4 seems cheap, the Aviator stunning.
Interestingly, in reading through the comments there’s an overwhelming negativity with the XT/CT naming scheme which doesn’t help Cadillac’s effort to rebound here in the US. I think Ford (Lincoln) got it right by ditching the MK and bringing back names, classic names from its history at that.
Your right Johan de Nysschen is not an innovator, he is the president of a car company, It’s his job to manage the individuals that perform the task that sees the final execution of product.. Steve jobs, same. Elon Musk, same. these guys are managers and really do not have time nor talent to design, engineer, build and market a product. Their job is to put the right people in the right job. Also, his hands maybe a bit tied due to the GM board.
Steve Jobs and Elon Musk were not innovators? Please. Both of those guys made bold and massive market pushes into product areas that basically didn’t exist, before they arrived on the scene. Sure they hired engineers and designers to implement their visions, and they often took pieces here and there that already existed in a minor way.
But both of these guys were visionaries who created major product markets that were virtually non-existent before they “dared greatly”. Jobs with the early PC, the GUI interface PC, desktop publishing, the i-pod, the i-phone, Pixar animation, etc. Musk has “dared greatly” with PayPal, Tesla electric cars, SpaceX, various solar power projects, and has plans for other areas such as Hyperloop.
de Nysschen on the other hand, is a salesman who copies the already well-established products of the day. He copies the German letter-number naming conventions, copies the BMW “performance luxury” angle, me-toos a CUV in a totally uninspiring way, copies an Audi A7 and uses part of the Escalade name to create the Escala (then decides to actually build it, 5 years after it’s been revealed to the public).
In none of these areas has JdN shown himself to be an innovator or a pioneer. He looks to the well-established products and tries to copy them, always being a generation behind the actual leaders/pioneers. That’s nothing like what Jobs and Musk have done.
Mentioning those men in the same breath as de Nysshen is laughable. I wasn’t, by the way, the one who mentioned “innovation”, I was merely responding to the point made in the post above mine. I still don’t understand the blind faith some people have in this guy, it’s beyond comprehension.
All across the internet, this Lincoln is getting rave reviews and Cadillac’s XT4 is getting panned. I think it’s safe to say, Cadillac was upstaged in New York again. Personally, I think the Aviator is gorgeous, expensive and elegant looking while the “first ever” XT4 looks like an upgraded Trax.
I also like what Lincoln did with their Nautilus. Just grafting on a Continental-style front-clip has made it look considerably more upscale so with Navigator, Aviator, Nautilus, and the MKC, they have a solid lineup.
If Lincoln builds the Aviator with little change from the concept, Cadillac might as well not even bother bringing out another nose-heavy FWD Lambda crossover. It’d be like the proverbial slingshot being taken to a gunfight.
Agreed. If Johan brings out a three row Lambda based CUV in the crowd of the GLE, Aviator, X5/X7, it is called Good Night for Cadillac as a Tier 1 Luxury brand. Johan better deliver the goods.
Lincoln CUV’s are sold very slowly. This is not the way the Cadillac should follow. Boring and secondary styling don’t help Lincoln.
We’re in a bubble though. The Continental was beloved in the enthusiasts’ corners of the internet; but didn’t sell well.
XT5 is a turd to someone like myself, but it sells like hotcakes and allows the V models to exist.
Waann waann, GM had no compact luxury CUV for sale. I do like the Lincoln but we knew the XT4 is for sale in a few months and the Aviator is for show, not even in the same category..
It seems to me that FoMoCo has been upstaging GM with their concept/product reveals with the last few auto show iterations! First, there was the Continental concept that sort of swept the rug from under the CT6 reveal about 3 years back. Before that, Ford revealed the 13th generation F-150 concept, which pretty much killed the hype for GM’s then new 3rd gen Silverado/Sierra pickups. Then there was the GT reveal which had everyone raving about Ford! Not to mention the Navigator concept! And now they have this stunningly beautiful Aviator concept, and it’s sapping the hype out of the new XT4! Though these two models represent differing segments, there’s no doubt Lincoln has the more exciting vehicle on hand! But as others are pointing out, this is good! As it’ll only lead to more compelling offerings from each brand as they compete more effectively!
Nevertheless, Cadillac would be wise to utilize either their stellar Omega platform or the upcoming Alpha replacement architecture to produce more appealing crossovers/SUVs! If Lincoln is seeing the benefits of a RWD SUV, there’s no excuse for Cadillac! Yes, I know GM is making some of the finest FWD-based crossovers and SUVs on the market right now, and there’s no doubt anyone of these platforms and powertrains would be suitable for a Cadillac model! But it’d be more compelling for Cadillac to capitalize on their current tech and engineering achievements with a solid batch of powerful and stylish crossovers and SUVs! What’s holding them back?!!!
What type of frame setup will the Aviator have?
It looks very nice, but almost as if it were a Navigator, with sportier roof and side lines.
Must be close to a short wheelbase Navigator?
One angle I think this GMA article is trying to get it…Do you think GM SHOULD offer mini-Escalade at all?
BOF, chassis as these navigator (aviator is on off). Next gen omega chassis and next gen alpha chassis, Cadillac’s own chassis will be on these next gen crossover’s. These crossover’s that are coming up are just short term.
XT4/XT5/XT6-next gen RWD/AWD, XT7/XT8 RWD/AWD, next gen Omega chassis/Alpha chassis, Cadillac’s own chassis.
Lincoln has been showing the Nautilus and Aviator on the internet for a couple of weeks now and everyone who has penned their opinion has only good things to say about them . Lincoln is also giving their future vehicles real names and ditching the M_ _ nameplates , also a good review on their plans .
The XT6 needs to be built and will more than likely be built on the C1- Platform with it’s twins Traverse and Enclave at the Delta Plant in Lansing , Mi. Moving the Acadia from the facility will give room for the XT6’s production . The plant just had a $500 million renovation in one of GM’s newest facilities , and the plant is not running at full capacity .
Not sure why people would compare the Aviator to the XT4 as they are in different segments . One thing I seen last night is the price for that gray XT4 was $53,000.00 . On TFLCar on You Tube the journalist interviewed the lead designer of the XT4 and they went over the sticker and it showed the price for it , of course that was the high line vehicle in Cadillacs new ” Y ” trim level .
It also looked like it had a HUD too , although I haven’t heard anything mentioned about it .
Although Cadillac is into a product onslaught with 2 new vehicles coming out every year till 2021 , the competition is just getting more fierce with alot of new vehicles getting into the game and it’s getting crowded . To stand out Cadillac has work to do .
This is Lincoln’s best interior design ever, hope the Lincolnification process doesn’t ruin it.
I don’t like the exterior though. The front end reminds me of the Infiniti QX80 … And not in a good way.
Hubba Hubba. I never thought lincoln would catch my eyes like this. Here i was hoping for a Cadillac looker, but this lincoln… is stunning. Character and presence in this. very interested. Cadillac, you got shown.
How is a lincoln continental doing? It’s gone already. I not worry about Cadillac .
GM’s next generation full sized, rwd SUVs, will be the most important new products to come out, sometime next year.
If they are good looking with independent rear suspension, they will sell all they can build. Many new features in the new pickups will also go into the new full sized SUVs.
With the new pickups and the new full sized SUVs, GM will do real well.
I’m still super impressed by the Aviator and even more so by the way Lincoln’s folks are describing it. The words “Quiet Flight” are being used and the theme is that the vehicle creates a stress free oasis from our over-stimulated lives. That’s such a perfect way to re-launch Lincoln. In so doing, they are playing to classic Lincoln virtues but with a very modern and relevant twist. As much as I personally love cars and an engaging drive, my life is so filled with constant demands that the notion of stress free silent motoring also has appeal. Great job, Lincoln.
I also totally love the naming convention and would add two suggestions, both with historical ties to Ford’s former Lincoln-Mercury division, and a suggestion for a new model to pick up where Lincoln’s history left off.
SUV/CUVs
Navigator
Aviator
Nautilus
Mariner (an MK-C replacement using a former Mercury name)
Sedans
Continental
Cosmopolitan (an MK-Z replacement using an old Lincoln name)
Coupe
Mark IX
I wish Lincoln stop using production based concept previews and just show the actual vehicle for once. A total waste of time and money. I’m glad GM and Cadillac stop doing this nonsense and silliness a long time ago, though Cadillac was more concept oriented than production concept oriented.
More than likely, 80%-90% will carry over to the actual model once revealed. Once they show the actual model, a lot of people will moan and not get as excited just like the past previews of Continental and Navigator, production-based concepts to product.
The technology of the Aviator is impressive and I hope that the actual model have those technology features make it to production while the Navigator get those technologies next year or two.
Style-wise, the interior is excellent but it is not a runaway success. Few cheap plastic buttons on the door should be piano black or brushed aluminum. And Lincoln outta be ashamed of themselves of having cheap plastic buttons on the door that control the seats. They can’t fancy up the buttons for their seat controls on the door? They come off as cheap looking.
The exterior is a imitation of Jaguar, Durango and Range Rover. Not too impressed.
However, I am glad Lincoln will have a true authentic rwd model in a long time since the LS ended in ’07 to hopefully turn Lincoln around little at a time.
Folks, listen. It is not about Lincoln vs. Cadillac and vise versa. It is about Lincoln and Cadillac stealing European ownership away from Germany, British, Japan and etc. and have someone to look at one of the storied American luxury nameplates. Whoever takes home a Cadillac or Lincoln over Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover, Infiniti, Acura and etc., its a win for both Lincoln and Cadillac and the consumer whoever forks their money to buy either. It won’t happen overnight but Lincoln and Cadillac will have a sizable share of the market in the future like the competitors across seas do now. It is an excellent time to be a Cadillac and Lincoln fan, though I wish Lincoln have original exterior designs that stand out like Cadillac.
I wish i could give this guy 10 thumbs up! The last paragraph sums up basically what i think,,, pitting Cadillac vs Lincoln is just silly considering there are many competitors.. I see signs on pick up truck saying shit like “i rather push my Chevy than drive a ford” . that is the note of the ultimate idiot. That same person would buy a Japanese vehicle the moment he / she becomes disillusioned by his favorite American brand.
Regarding the Aviator, it looks like a home run for Lincoln. Regarding its look, take look at the profile of the explorer (perimeter only), its not really all that different. Of course the people working for Jaguar / Land Rover and Ford all use to work together and certain shapes were identified and put in place many moons ago.. Dodge Durango Lights, whatever?