Compare the2023 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2023 Dodge Durango

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Durango doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Escalade are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Durango doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Escalade has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Durango doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Durango doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Durango doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Escalade’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Durango and is not available with SXT.

The Escalade has a standard HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Durango only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Escalade and the Durango 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac Escalade is safer than the Dodge Durango:

	Escalade	Durango
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23%	34%
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	339/364 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	295
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.8 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	86 lbs.

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

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 Cadillac Escalade is safer than the Dodge Durango:

	Escalade	Durango
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	46
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	111 lbs.	111 lbs.
Hip Force	118 lbs.	236 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	34 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	446 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	43 G’s

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

Warranty

The Escalade comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Durango’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Durango. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Durango ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Escalade’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Durango’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Escalade has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Durango doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Escalade has larger alternators than the Durango:

	Escalade	Durango
Standard Alternator	220 amps	160 amps
Optional Alternator	250 amps	180 amps

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade first among large premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Durango isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 127 more horsepower (420 vs. 293) and 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 125 more horsepower (420 vs. 295) and 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6. The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 60 more horsepower (420 vs. 360) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 390) than the Durango’s optional 5.7 V8.

The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 260) than the Durango’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6. The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 390) than the Durango’s optional 5.7 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade is faster than the Dodge Durango:

	Escalade	Durango V6	Durango V8
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	8 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.1 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.6 MPH	86.9 MPH	93.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escalade gets better mileage than the Durango:

			MPG
Escalade
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
Durango
	RWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	14 city/22 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	14 city/22 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Escalade’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Dodge only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Durango V6.

The Escalade has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Durango doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Cadillac Escalade, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Durango.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escalade Sport	Durango	Durango R/T
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.8 inches	15 inches

The Escalade stops shorter than the Durango:

	Escalade	Durango
60 to 0 MPH	136 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	160 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escalade has larger tires than the Durango (275/50R22 vs. 265/60R18).

The Escalade’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Durango SXT’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Durango SXT. The Durango’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Cadillac Escalade’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Dodge Durango only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Escalade has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Durango doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Escalade has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Durango. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Escalade has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escalade flat and controlled during cornering. The Durango’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Durango (120.9 inches vs. 119.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade is 4.5 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Durango.

For better maneuverability, the Escalade’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Durango’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Escalade Air Suspension has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Durango (10 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Escalade (except Diesel) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Durango doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the Durango GT 4x4 (75 vs. 76 dB).

Passenger Space

The Escalade offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Durango can only carry 7.

The Escalade has 27 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Durango (168.4 vs. 141.4).

The Escalade has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more front legroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear legroom, 5.7 inches more rear hip room, 6.9 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 1.4 inches more third row legroom, 7 inches more third row hip room and 12.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Durango.

Cargo Capacity

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the Durango.

	Escalade	Durango
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	17.2 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.9 cubic feet	43.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	121 cubic feet	85.1 cubic feet

The Escalade’s cargo area is larger than the Durango’s in every dimension:

	Escalade	Durango
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	20”/50”/83”
Max Width	49.5”	49”
Min Width	49.4”	42.5”
Height	36.5”	36”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Escalade’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Durango doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Escalade’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Durango doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Payload and Towing

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Durango’s (8000 vs. 6200 pounds).

The Escalade has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Durango (1636 vs. 1400 lbs.).

The Escalade has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Durango (1647 vs. 1450 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

The Escalade’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Durango, and is not available on all models.

The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Durango doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escalade’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Durango’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Escalade’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Durango’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Escalade’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Durango’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Durango doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Escalade has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Durango.

The Escalade Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Durango.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac Escalade has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Durango doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport’s Adaptive Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Durango doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Escalade is less expensive to operate than the Durango because typical repairs cost less on the Escalade than the Durango, including $7 less for front brake pads and $171 less for a starter.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade second among large premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Durango isn’t in the top three in its category.

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