Compare the2023 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2023 Volvo XC90

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
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 XC90 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 XC90 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and the XC90 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Cadillac Escalade weighs 532 to 1426 pounds more than the Volvo XC90. 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 Volvo XC90:

	Escalade	XC90
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	23%	27%
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	567/631 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, results indicate that the Cadillac Escalade is safer than the Volvo XC90:

	Escalade	XC90
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	51
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	111 lbs.	153 lbs.
Hip Force	118 lbs.	255 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	94
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	248 lbs.	608 lbs.

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

Warranty

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escalade’s warranty.

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 XC90 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 a standard 220-amp alternator (250-amp - Escalade Diesel). The XC90’s 210-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade first among large premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC90 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 93 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo 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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

Engine

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 173 more horsepower (420 vs. 247) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 258) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 125 more horsepower (420 vs. 295) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 310) than the XC90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 30 more horsepower (277 vs. 247) and 202 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 258) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Escalade’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 310) than the XC90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Cadillac Escalade is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

	Escalade	XC90
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.4 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	92.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade V8’s fuel efficiency. The XC90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Escalade and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Escalades have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac Escalade uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC90 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Escalade has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 (24 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 XC90.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escalade Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

	Escalade Sport	XC90 B5/B6	XC90 T8 Plus
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.6 inches	14.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches	13.4 inches

The Escalade stops much shorter than the XC90:

	Escalade	XC90
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escalade has larger tires than the XC90 (275/50R22 vs. 235/55R19).

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 XC90’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90.

The Cadillac Escalade’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volvo XC90 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 XC90 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 XC90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the Escalade uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the XC90 (120.9 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

The Escalade’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the XC90’s (51.7% to 48.3%). This gives the Escalade more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Escalade Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC90 w/Air Suspension (10 vs. 9.9 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 XC90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core:

	Escalade	XC90
At idle	42 dB	48 dB

Passenger Space

The Escalade offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry 7.

The Escalade has 64.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (168.4 vs. 103.8).

The Escalade has 3.4 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, 5.7 inches more front hip room, 7.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.7 inches more rear hip room, 8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, 3 inches more third row legroom, 4.5 inches more third row hip room and 15.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

Cargo Capacity

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

	Escalade	XC90
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.9 cubic feet	35.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	121 cubic feet	85.7 cubic feet

The Escalade’s cargo area is larger than the XC90’s in almost every dimension:

	Escalade	XC90
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/54”/89.5”	21.8”/49.6”/80.3”
Max Width	49.5”	54.7”
Min Width	49.4”	44.5”
Height	36.5”	35”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Escalade’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC90 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Payload and Towing

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (8000 vs. 4000 pounds).

The Escalade has a much higher standard payload capacity than the XC90 (1636 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The Escalade has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the XC90 (1647 vs. 1210 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Escalade is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

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 XC90 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

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 XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Escalade has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC90.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Escalade is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 XC90 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 XC90 because typical repairs cost much less on the Escalade than the XC90, including $588 less for a water pump, $28 less for front brake pads, $322 less for a starter, $57 less for fuel injection and $115 less for a fuel pump.

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 XC90 isn’t in the top three.

The Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV outsold the Volvo XC90 by 18% during 2022.

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