Infiniti QX80 vs Cadillac Escalade vs Lincoln Navigator
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Summary
Three full-size, body-on-frame, three-row luxury SUVs on truck architecture. The QX80 starts at $83,750 — below the Escalade ($91,100) and Navigator ($91,995) — and its 8,500 lb tow rating slots between the Navigator's segment-leading 8,700 lb and the Escalade's 8,100 lb.
The Navigator leads on third-row legroom (36.5 in vs 34.9 Escalade, 32.9 QX80). The Escalade leads on cargo (25.5 cu ft behind row 3, 120.5 cu ft max — both segment highs). The QX80 undercuts both on price; all three can seat eight (Navigator standard, QX80 and Escalade via available configurations). Pick by which of those axes you actually use.
The numbers, side by side
| Spec | Infiniti QX80 | Cadillac Escalade | Lincoln Navigator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | |||
| MSRP range | $83,750 – $111,500 | $91,100 – $172,220 | $91,995 – $119,525 |
| Space | |||
| Row 1 legroom | 43.8" | 44.5" | 43.5" |
| Row 2 legroom | 39.2" | 41.7" | 40.9" |
| Row 3 legroom | 32.9" | 34.9" | 36.5" |
| Row 3 headroom | 36.2" | 38.2" | 37.4" |
| Cargo behind row 3 | 20.4 cu ft | 25.5 cu ft | 21.6 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 97.1 cu ft | 120.5 cu ft | 107 cu ft |
| Capability | |||
| Max towing | 8,500 lbs | 8,100 lbs | 8,700 lbs |
| Seating | |||
| Max seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Third-row reality
The Navigator's 36.5 inches of third-row legroom is the most in the segment; the Escalade follows at 34.9 in. Both are genuinely adult-usable rows. The QX80's 32.9 in is a step behind — closer to the strong unibody three-rows than to its body-on-frame peers — and its 36.2 in of third-row headroom trails the Escalade's 38.2 in by a full two inches.
If adults will ride in row 3 on trips measured in hours, that ordering — Navigator, Escalade, QX80 — is the ranking that matters most in this comparison.
Cargo capacity
The Escalade leads the entire segment with 25.5 cu ft behind row 3 and 120.5 cu ft maximum. The Navigator follows at 21.6 / 107. The QX80 posts 20.4 cu ft behind row 3 — within about a cubic foot of the Navigator — and 97.1 cu ft maximum.
All three carry a week of luggage with every seat occupied, which no unibody in this segment can claim. The Escalade simply carries the most.
Towing capacity
The three highest tow ratings in the segment live on this page: Navigator 8,700 lb, QX80 8,500 lb, Escalade 8,100 lb (2WD, properly equipped; 7,900 lb with 4WD). The QX80's rating is standard across grades when properly equipped.
For trailers at or under 7,500 lb, all three tow with comfortable margin, and the choice can be made on other axes. At the upper edge — an 8,000 lb boat or camper — the Navigator and QX80 keep meaningful headroom where the Escalade's rating barely covers it.
Seating layout
All three seat eight in the right configuration — and they are the segment's only eight-seaters. The Navigator seats eight in its standard configuration; the QX80 via an optional second-row bench in place of captain's chairs; the Escalade via Cadillac's available 8-passenger seating (its standard layout is seven).
If the eighth seat is a requirement, all three remain in play and the choice falls back to price, third-row space, and cargo.
Pricing and trims
The QX80 opens at $83,750 (Pure RWD, excluding a $2,190 destination charge) and tops out at $111,500 in Autograph 4WD trim. The Escalade spans $91,100 to $172,220 (Escalade-V); the Navigator spans $91,995 to $119,525 (Black Label).
The QX80's spread means a mid-ladder QX80 prices like a base Escalade or Navigator. Whether that trade reads as a bargain depends on how much the third-row legroom and cargo gaps matter to your use.
When each one fits
Infiniti QX80: The price-first pick. Households that want full-size towing (8,500 lb) and eight-seat capability at the lowest body-on-frame entry price, and whose third row carries kids or shorter trips rather than tall adults.
Cadillac Escalade: The cargo pick — 25.5 cu ft behind row 3 and 120.5 cu ft maximum are segment highs — with an adult-usable third row and the widest trim ladder, topping out in V-series performance trim.
Lincoln Navigator: The third-row and towing pick — 36.5 in of legroom and 8,700 lb are both segment-leading — with eight seats standard.
Compare legroom yourself
Find your match
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Take the quizDeciding across the whole segment, not just these models? See Best Luxury 3-Row SUVs (2026) — every published model, ranked from verified specs.