Compare the2022 Infiniti QX80VS 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The QX80 has standard Active Head Restraints (AHR), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the AHR system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The QX80 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the QX80 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the QX80 and the Escalade ESV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Infiniti QX80 is safer than the Cadillac Escalade ESV:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The QX80 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escalade ESV’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The QX80’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Escalade ESV’s (7 vs. 6 years).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the QX80 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade ESV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 21st in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 10 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX80 is faster than the Cadillac Escalade ESV:

For better stopping power the QX80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade ESV:

The rear suspension of the QX80 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Escalade ESV, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The QX80 Sensory offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Cadillac doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Escalade ESV.

The QX80 AWD handles at .72 G’s, while the Escalade ESV Sport 4WD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The QX80 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Escalade ESV Premium Luxury 4WD (28.3 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the QX80’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (41.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The QX80 is 1 foot, 4.8 inches shorter than the Escalade ESV, making the QX80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX80’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade ESV’s third row seats don’t recline.

The QX80 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The QX80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escalade ESV’s (8500 vs. 7900 pounds).

While the Escalade ESV 4WD Diesel can only tow 7700, any QX80 can tow a minimum of 8500 pounds.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Cadillac. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 4% lower rating, Cadillac is ranked fourth.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The QX80 Sensory has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the QX80 Sensory has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Insurance will cost less for the QX80 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the QX80 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Escalade ESV is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX80 is less expensive to operate than the Escalade ESV because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the QX80 than the Escalade ESV, including $104 less for a water pump, $759 less for a muffler, $28 less for front brake pads, $38 less for fuel injection, $168 less for a fuel pump, $593 less for front struts and $260 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Infiniti QX80 will be $6292 to $16579 less than for the Cadillac Escalade ESV.