Compare the2024 BMW X7VS 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The BMW X7 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X7 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X7 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the Escalade ESV.

The X7 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 X7 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function and automatically engage the brakes. Only the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Escalade ESV’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The X7’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X7 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Escalade ESV uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X7 and the Escalade ESV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Escalade ESV’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Escalade ESV.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the X7 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade ESV.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Escalade ESV’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X7’s reliability 27 points higher than the Escalade ESV.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 17th.

The X7 M60i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 103 more horsepower (523 vs. 420) and 93 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 211 more horsepower (631 vs. 420) and 130 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8.

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the Escalade ESV:

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X7 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Cadillac Escalade ESV (3 to 6). This means the X7 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escalade ESV every 15,000 miles.

The X7’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade ESV:

For better traction, the X7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escalade ESV (285/45R21 vs. 275/50R22).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escalade ESV’s standard 50 series tires. The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Escalade ESV’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 offers optional 23-inch wheels. The Escalade ESV’s largest wheels are only 22-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 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.

For better maneuverability, the X7 w/Rear Steering’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (40.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet). The X7 xDrive40i’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (42.7 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The BMW X7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 350 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

The X7 is 1 foot, 11.4 inches shorter than the Escalade ESV, making the X7 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the X7’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Escalade ESV doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X7’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade ESV’s third row seats don’t recline.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Escalade ESV’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Cadillac doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Escalade ESV.

The X7’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X7 will be $6343 to $8641 less than for the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.