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Are you interested in a 2023 Cadillac Escalade? Do you enjoy the model’s luxuriousness but have a few gripes with it? If that’s the case, you may be looking for a viable alternative to the popular full-size SUV. One ultra-luxurious rival offers most of the same features at a lower price. Although it isn’t an Escalade, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is a luxury suite on wheels that easily competes with it. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade alternative you forgot about.

Why buy a 2023 Cadillac Escalade alternative?

A white 2023 Cadillac Escalade parked outside. What's new with the full-size SUV?
2023 Cadillac Escalade | Cadillac

There are many reasons not to buy a vehicle. The most common reason people have for skipping the Escalade is probably the price. A base model 2023 Cadillac Escalade Luxury starts at $81,090. Although similar to other full-size SUVs, the price is steep for many buyers. The starting price is even less reasonable for the rest of the lineup. For example, a new 2023 Escalade V is $150,990, roughly the price of a small house in the right location.

According to Edmunds, a few issues plague the Escalade. For example, climate controls are challenging to use at night, which is constantly distracting while driving. Next, the rear cabin lacks quality compared to other models in its class. For the price of an Escalade, cabin quality should be premium all-around. Finally, the standard V8 engine is potent, but fuel economy is poor. It’s difficult to justify buying a model with bad gas mileage in 2022.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator is a forgotten Escalade alternative

A 2023 Lincoln Navigator parked in a dark parking garage with owners approaching.
2023 Lincoln Navigator | Lincoln

Often forgotten, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is a luxurious full-size SUV. Moreover, it’s one of the most poshest vehicles you’ll ever find. It’s got most of what rivals offer, like the Escalade or GMC Yukon XL. According to Lincoln, it starts at $77,635, around $4,000 lower than the base model Escalade. Every version has a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Its EPA-estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway, slightly better than the base Escalade rated for 14/19 by the EPA.

Additionally, the Lincoln Navigator has plenty of standard features. Highlights include power running boards, a hands-free liftgate, an adaptive suspension, a 12-inch digital instrument display, heated/ventilated front and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless smartphone charger. Every Navigator’s infotainment system also has a 13.2-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and a 14-speaker sound system.

Finally, the base Navigator comes with many safety features. For example, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure mitigation, a lane-keeping system, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and an automated parking system.

Navigator Black Label: A more reasonable Escalade

In addition to base model features, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator comes in a premium luxury trim. The Black Label and Black Label L trims are the height of luxury. Compared to the top Escalade trims, they’re also reasonably priced. Along with the Escalade V at over $150K, the Sport Platinum is $110,390, and the Premium Luxury Platinum is the same. These models add over-the-top features like massage seats, a 36-speaker AKG sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Does the Lincoln model match its value?

Comparably, the Navigator Black Label starts at $107,770. Additionally, the Black Label L is the range-topper, starting at $110,770. For that price, buyers get excellent features like a 28-speaker audio system, digital key technology, an extended maintenance plan, four-wheel drive, a panoramic vista roof, Lincoln Co-Pilot360, PowerFold second-row captain’s chairs, and much more. These models offer similar value for their six-figure price tag, but the Navigator’s engine makes more horsepower with better fuel economy.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator is a great Escalade alternative

In conclusion, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is not a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The two share many similarities in price, value, features, and interior spaciousness. However, the Navigator solves a few problems with the Escalade. For example, it has a lower starting price, a more potent base engine, and it gets better fuel economy. We’re not saying one luxury full-size SUV is better than the other; we’re just saying if you don’t want an Escalade, the Navigator is an alternative you might’ve forgotten.

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