Compare the2023 Cadillac Escalade-VVS 2023 Dodge Durango SRT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Escalade-V’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Durango SRT 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-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Durango SRT doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escalade-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

An active infrared night vision system standard on the Escalade-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Escalade-V’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 SRT.

The Escalade-V has a standard HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Durango SRT 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-V and the Durango SRT 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Cadillac Escalade-V weighs 507 to 1029 pounds more than the Dodge Durango SRT. 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-V is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

	Escalade-V	Durango SRT
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 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-V is safer than the Dodge Durango SRT:

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

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade-V 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Dodge covers the Durango SRT. 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 SRT ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

The Escalade-V 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 SRT 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-V has a 220-amp alternator. The Durango SRT’s standard 160-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Escalade-V has a standard 800-amp battery. The Durango SRT’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 207 more horsepower (682 vs. 475) and 183 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 470) than the Durango SRT’s standard 6.4 V8. The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 645) than the Durango SRT Hellcat’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac Escalade-V is faster than the Dodge Durango SRT V8:

	Escalade-V	Durango SRT
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	13.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	104 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Escalade-V ESV’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Durango SRT (28.3 vs. 24.6 gallons).

The Escalade-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac Escalade-V higher (3 out of 10) than the Dodge Durango SRT (1). This means the Escalade-V produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Durango SRT every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

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

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade-V has standard 22-inch wheels. Only 20-inch wheels are available on the Durango SRT.

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

The Escalade-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Escalade-V has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Durango SRT; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the Escalade-V uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Durango SRT, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade-V is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Durango SRT.

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

Chassis

The front grille of the Escalade-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escalade-V is quieter than the Durango SRT 392 (66 vs. 70 dB).

Passenger Space

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

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Escalade-V	Durango SRT
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-V ESV’s cargo area provides more volume than the Durango SRT.

	Escalade-V	Durango SRT
Behind Third Seat	41.5 cubic feet	17.2 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	94.1 cubic feet	43.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	142.8 cubic feet	85.1 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Escalade-V’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 SRT doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

Towing

The Escalade-V 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-V can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Durango SRT can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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-V 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 SRT doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The Escalade-V’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 SRT’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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

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

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

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

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