2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more classic styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact size and tall profile created an awkward aesthetic. The XT5 was unmistakably a Cadillac, yet its design felt somewhat ungainly. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its position as a full-size luxury SUV without significant updates since its last redesign in 2018. The Navigator Reserve model, available in Canada, came with standard 4WD and featured a Monochromatic Package that added black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The interior was predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, and the ambient lighting added character at night. While the cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury feel. The Navigator’s interior was spacious and comfortable, though the extensive adjustability of the front seats sometimes proved excessive.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided a smooth and linear power delivery, making the XT5 feel adequately powerful for everyday driving. The optional performance suspension with adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, cushioning bumps while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. It featured five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview aimed to enhance ride quality, but the Navigator’s ride was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floaty over larger dips. Excite mode improved handling on mountain roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator’s size posed challenges in urban environments, making it cumbersome in tight spaces.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, though less than the BMW X3. It provided ample legroom in both rows but fell short in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but could have benefited from more cushioning. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but not the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the centre console featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating in all three rows and an extended body style for increased cargo capacity. The power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, and the 30-way Perfect Position front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the numerous adjustments sometimes proved excessive. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The long-wheelbase Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While usability had improved, the tech still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size and graphics. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not user-friendly, and the array of secondary controls cluttered the centre console. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to voice commands. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated devices. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. Lincoln Play offered dual touchscreens for rear passengers, though they were underutilized by teenagers who preferred their smartphones.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system, was available but had limitations in certain driving conditions. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but lacked a full crashworthiness assessment.