NSAP Reviews:
Lincoln Navigator Vs. Cadillac Escalade
Stakes are high in this comparo...
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This is by far my first comparison vehicle review. I was going to just do a review over the Navigator, but I thought, why not a comparo since my parents have a 2004 Escalade anyway. So I have access to both vehicles. Since the Navigator and the Escalade are both long time rivals I thought I needed to be a major critic to both vehicles. Since I have drove the Escalade a lot more than the Navigator, I really know much more about the Escalade, but I certainly took the time to learn the Navi as good too.
Just like the old days, when the Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln Mark IV battled it out for luxury coupe supremacy, the Escalade and Navigator are closely matched, yet have distinct differences. Both offer prestige-oriented styling, with clean lines and massive grilles along with spacious interiors ensconced in leather and wood. Those “distinctive differences” will come to prove who the real winner in this comparo will be
Design
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Both vehicles are truly full-size, and both are diffidently luxury! All you have to do is look at them, and you can tell by the stance of the vehicles that they are ready for action and they both have this “I own the road” look to them. While driving either of the vehicles down Main Street, you always get stares from people in their Explorers and Blazers, but of course you always get an occasional bad gesture from the Toyota and Honda drivers that think big SUV’s are killing the environment.
Depending on whether you like the art & science design theme of the Escalade, is up to you. But the Navigator’s exterior design is not art & science; actually I would say it is more American than the Escalade’s. While I was testing the vehicles, I would ask
People on their thoughts of the vehicles, and really I got mixed reviews. People loved the Escalade’s deign, but hated the front. No one really loved or hated the Navigator.
Interior
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The subject of the interiors is almost a given on which vehicle is better. The Escalade’s is just General Motors’ generic SUV interior with a few tweaks, like wood trim, and an analog clock. The Navigator’s is awesome! Once you sit in the driver’s seat, and take in all of the luxury that surrounds you, it is obvious that Ford took the time and money to make it right the first time. The consol in the Navi is beautiful, and the cover over the radio controls, is a very nice touch. It hides all of the clutter of the radio. The white LED lights in the dash look very handsome in the Navi, and at night it is much more pleasant than the regular green.
On the seat front, both vehicles are very comfortable. Although the Navi seemed to have a tiny bit more room in the third row. Both had the rear seat entertainment system. I liked the Escalade’s better. The Navigator had a THX certified audio system, which sounded great! The Escalade has a Bose system, which I like better. It is also a lot less confusing than the Navi’s.
Bottom Line: The Navigator is much more enhanced than the Escalade’s. But that might change next year, since the Escalade is getting a new interior.
Powertrain
Power is the Navigator’s most controversial topic. And I agree that it’s engine does lack refinement. But as long as you are not planning on going off roading in your $60,000 SUV you’ll be fine. The Escalade’s power is fine! It delivered on everything I demanded, and always have.
The ride and handling award would have to go to the Navigator. It’s ride is very smooth, almost perfect! The Escalade rides nice, but the Navi out does it easily. The Navigator also has a lot less body roll than the Escalade. When it comes to noise the Escalade wins, that Navigator has quite a bit of road and wind noise at higher speeds.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Players
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The Navigator
French Silk Metallic
-Total MSRP $63,045
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The Escalade
White Diamond
-Total MSRP $61,040
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Verdict
--Navigator
Pros: Beautiful Interior, Awesome features, big!
Cons: Lack of power, Pricey
Overall Rating: 9.1
--Escalade
Pros: Excellent Power, beautiful exterior, fun to drive
Cons: generic interior, bumpy ride, Pricey
Overall Rating: 8.8
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lincoln Navigator Vs. Cadillac Escalade
Stakes are high in this comparo...
This is by far my first comparison vehicle review. I was going to just do a review over the Navigator, but I thought, why not a comparo since my parents have a 2004 Escalade anyway. So I have access to both vehicles. Since the Navigator and the Escalade are both long time rivals I thought I needed to be a major critic to both vehicles. Since I have drove the Escalade a lot more than the Navigator, I really know much more about the Escalade, but I certainly took the time to learn the Navi as good too.
Just like the old days, when the Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln Mark IV battled it out for luxury coupe supremacy, the Escalade and Navigator are closely matched, yet have distinct differences. Both offer prestige-oriented styling, with clean lines and massive grilles along with spacious interiors ensconced in leather and wood. Those “distinctive differences” will come to prove who the real winner in this comparo will be
Design
Both vehicles are truly full-size, and both are diffidently luxury! All you have to do is look at them, and you can tell by the stance of the vehicles that they are ready for action and they both have this “I own the road” look to them. While driving either of the vehicles down Main Street, you always get stares from people in their Explorers and Blazers, but of course you always get an occasional bad gesture from the Toyota and Honda drivers that think big SUV’s are killing the environment.
Depending on whether you like the art & science design theme of the Escalade, is up to you. But the Navigator’s exterior design is not art & science; actually I would say it is more American than the Escalade’s. While I was testing the vehicles, I would ask
People on their thoughts of the vehicles, and really I got mixed reviews. People loved the Escalade’s deign, but hated the front. No one really loved or hated the Navigator.
Interior
The subject of the interiors is almost a given on which vehicle is better. The Escalade’s is just General Motors’ generic SUV interior with a few tweaks, like wood trim, and an analog clock. The Navigator’s is awesome! Once you sit in the driver’s seat, and take in all of the luxury that surrounds you, it is obvious that Ford took the time and money to make it right the first time. The consol in the Navi is beautiful, and the cover over the radio controls, is a very nice touch. It hides all of the clutter of the radio. The white LED lights in the dash look very handsome in the Navi, and at night it is much more pleasant than the regular green.
On the seat front, both vehicles are very comfortable. Although the Navi seemed to have a tiny bit more room in the third row. Both had the rear seat entertainment system. I liked the Escalade’s better. The Navigator had a THX certified audio system, which sounded great! The Escalade has a Bose system, which I like better. It is also a lot less confusing than the Navi’s.
Bottom Line: The Navigator is much more enhanced than the Escalade’s. But that might change next year, since the Escalade is getting a new interior.
Powertrain
Power is the Navigator’s most controversial topic. And I agree that it’s engine does lack refinement. But as long as you are not planning on going off roading in your $60,000 SUV you’ll be fine. The Escalade’s power is fine! It delivered on everything I demanded, and always have.
The ride and handling award would have to go to the Navigator. It’s ride is very smooth, almost perfect! The Escalade rides nice, but the Navi out does it easily. The Navigator also has a lot less body roll than the Escalade. When it comes to noise the Escalade wins, that Navigator has quite a bit of road and wind noise at higher speeds.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Players
The Navigator
French Silk Metallic
-Total MSRP $63,045
The Escalade
White Diamond
-Total MSRP $61,040
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Verdict
--Navigator
Pros: Beautiful Interior, Awesome features, big!
Cons: Lack of power, Pricey
Overall Rating: 9.1
--Escalade
Pros: Excellent Power, beautiful exterior, fun to drive
Cons: generic interior, bumpy ride, Pricey
Overall Rating: 8.8
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
