Compare the2023 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2023 Infiniti QX60

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 QX60 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Cadillac Escalade weighs 980 to 1622 pounds more than the Infiniti QX60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Infiniti QX60:

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

There are almost 3 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escalade’s warranty.

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 QX60 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade first among large premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 125 more horsepower (420 vs. 295) and 190 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 190 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

On the EPA test cycle the Escalade gets better mileage than the QX60:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade V8’s fuel efficiency. The QX60 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escalade has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX60 (24 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Cadillac Escalade, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the QX60.

For better stopping power the Escalade Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

The Escalade stops shorter than the QX60:

For better traction, the Escalade has larger tires than the QX60 (275/50R22 vs. 255/50R20).

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 QX60 Pure’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 QX60 Pure. The QX60’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 Infiniti QX60 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Escalade has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the QX60; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Escalade offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Escalade has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The QX60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the QX60 (120.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the QX60.

The Escalade’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the QX60’s (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the Escalade more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Escalade has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Escalade Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 3.3 inches higher than on the QX60 (10 vs. 6.7 inches).

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 QX60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the QX60 Autograph AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The Escalade offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the QX60 can only carry 7.

The Escalade has 27.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (168.4 vs. 140.6).

The Escalade has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom, 4.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.5 inches more third row headroom, 6.9 inches more third row legroom, 4.2 inches more third row hip room and 7.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the QX60.

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Escalade’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The QX60 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX60’s (8000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Escalade 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escalade can be unhitched and driven around locally. The QX60 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Escalade is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

The Escalade’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The QX60 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the Escalade the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the QX60 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Escalade has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The QX60 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Escalade’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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 QX60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Escalade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escalade will retain 49.34% to 50.01% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 43.55% to 44.5%.

The Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV outsold the Infiniti QX60 by over two to one during 2022.