they tend to be dominated by European or Japanese automakers, as they usually don’t do well against the likes of BMW or Lexus. That said, American luxury cars have fared well for the 2023 model year, especially the . Here’s a look at how the American brands beat their German rivals in the large luxury SUV segment for the 2023 model year.
The 2023 Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade ranked high
As he argues, large American luxury SUVs currently dominate the segment, with the Lincoln Navigator in first place and the Cadillac Escalade in second place with the Land Rover Range Rover. The Car Critic gave the Navigator an overall score of 8.8 out of 10, while the Escalade scored 8.5 out of 10.
it has an overall score of 8.2 out of 10. That said, it’s clear why the Navigator and Escalade lead the segment, especially since the two luxury SUVs have few flaws. They’re solid cars in most categories, and there’s only one problem with every luxury SUV.
Because US News gave Navigator and Escalade high marks
When car buyers buy a large luxury SUV, they probably expect a luxurious interior packed with features and a large cargo capacity. This is exactly what both American luxury SUVs offer. The Navigator starts with a 13.2-inch touch screen, while the Escalade is split into three smaller screens.
Both have three rows of spacious and comfortable seats. Additionally, when the rear seats are folded, the Navigator gains a maximum cargo capacity of 103 cu. ft. Lincoln also offers a larger Navigator that can go up to 120 cu. feet of cargo space. The Caddy, meanwhile, has 121 cu. ft. of space is standard, and a larger option can get 142 cu. ft. Thus, both SUVs have enormous cargo capacity for the segment. Finally, both SUVs drive well.
The Lincoln has a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that gets 440 hp and is efficient for its power, getting around 20 mpg combined. That said, the navigator’s minor problem has to do with the “numb” feel of the steering.
Cadillac gave the Escalade a 6.2-liter V8 that gets 420 hp, but the Escalade also has some powerful engine options, including a . However, a minor problem with the Escalade is that it’s inefficient. At best, drivers can get 18 mpg combined with the Escalade.
The Navigator and Escalade beat many large German SUVs
Thanks to that strong balance of features and specs, US News ranked the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator above German luxury SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Both the X7 and GLS have an overall score of 8.3 out of 10, which shows they’re not bad large luxury SUVs by any means. It’s just that they have a little more trouble than the Lincoln or the Caddy.
Interestingly, both BMW and Mercedes share a common problem and it has to do with their infotainment systems. The X7 starts with a 14.9-inch touchscreen, while the GLS starts with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The problems with these systems have to do with usability. The X7’s infotainment system has a learning curve, while the GLS’s infotainment system is reportedly “overwhelming.”
