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Cadillac Escalade vs Lincoln Navigator: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Lincoln Navigator is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $3,770 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Navigator, 17 MPG combined), against $4,790 for the Cadillac Escalade (Escalade, 17 MPG combined). That is $1,020 a year, or $5,100 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Cadillac Escalade

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Escalade

17 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
City
19 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$4,790

$31.93 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Lincoln Navigator

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Navigator

17 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
City
22 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$3,770

$25.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

1 configuration in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Cadillac Escalade$4,790 a year · $31.93 per 100 mi
  • Lincoln Navigator$3,770 a year · $25.13 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$1,020

Lincoln Navigator costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$5,100

$1,020 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Cadillac Escalade Lincoln Navigator
Lowest-cost configuration EscaladeNavigator
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 17 MPG17 MPG
City rating 15 MPG15 MPG
Highway rating 19 MPG22 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $4,790/yr$3,770/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $31.93$25.13 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $4,790–$6,180$3,770
Configurations in MY2026 31
EPA class Standard SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator
Powertrain Cadillac Escalade Lincoln Navigator
Gas 17 MPG · $4,790/yr Escalade 17 MPG · $3,770/yr Navigator

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Cadillac Escalade

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Lincoln Navigator

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $3,770 vs $4,790
  • Higher highway rating: 22 MPG vs 19 MPG

Level on: combined rating (17 MPG), city rating (15 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator
Model year Cadillac Escalade Lincoln Navigator
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 13–17 MPG $4,790–$6,180 17 MPG $3,770
2025 13–17 MPG $4,790–$6,180 17 MPG $3,740
2024 13–23 MPG $4,100–$6,060 18 MPG $3,660
2023 13–23 MPG $4,100–$6,350 17–19 MPG $3,400–$3,750
2022 16–23 MPG $4,100–$5,140 18–19 MPG $3,400–$3,660
2021 16–23 MPG $4,050–$5,180 17–18 MPG $3,570–$3,740
2020 17 MPG $4,680–$4,850 18–19 MPG $3,510–$3,720
2019 17 MPG $4,680–$4,840 18–19 MPG $3,490–$3,690
2018 17 MPG $4,680–$4,820 18–19 MPG $3,470–$3,690
2017 17 MPG $3,770–$3,930 16–17 MPG $3,840–$4,020
2016 17 MPG $3,760–$3,870 16–18 MPG $3,620–$3,990
2015 16–17 MPG $3,760–$4,080 16–18 MPG $3,620–$3,990
2014 14–16 MPG $4,180–$4,520 15–16 MPG $4,090–$4,460
2013 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,460
2012 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,460
2011 14–21 MPG $3,070–$4,520 13–16 MPG $4,070–$5,060
2010 15–22 MPG $2,970–$4,360 16 MPG $4,080
2009 14–20 MPG $3,270–$4,670 16 MPG $4,080
2008 14 MPG $5,740 14 MPG $4,670
2007 14 MPG $5,740 14 MPG $4,670
2006 13–14 MPG $5,740–$6,180 13 MPG $6,180
2005 13–15 MPG $4,360–$6,180 13 MPG $6,180
2004 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030 13 MPG $6,180
2003 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030 13 MPG $6,180
2002 12–14 MPG $4,670–$5,440 12–13 MPG $6,180–$6,700
2000 13 MPG $5,030 13 MPG $6,180

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Cadillac Escalade or the Lincoln Navigator?

The Lincoln Navigator is cheaper: about $3,770 a year against $4,790 for the Cadillac Escalade, a difference of $1,020 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Lincoln Navigator save over five years?

About $5,100 ($1,020 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Cadillac Escalade or the Lincoln Navigator?

Both are rated 17 MPG combined. City: 15 MPG vs 15 MPG. Highway: 19 MPG vs 22 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles