Compare the2024 Cadillac Escalade-VVS 2024 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Cadillac Escalade-V are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

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 X7 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 X7 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade-V and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 60 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escalade-V’s warranty.

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 X7 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’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 307 more horsepower (682 vs. 375) and 255 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 398) than the X7 xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 159 more horsepower (682 vs. 523) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 553) than the X7 M60i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid. The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 51 more horsepower (682 vs. 631) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 590) than the Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade-V’s fuel efficiency. The X7 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escalade-V’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X7 (24 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escalade-V ESV’s standard fuel tank has 6.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X7 (28.3 vs. 21.9 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 X7 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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 X7.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade-V has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the X7.

The Cadillac Escalade-V’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X7 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 X7 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 X7; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade-V is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X7.

For better maneuverability, the Escalade-V’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (39.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Escalade-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X7 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Escalade-V ESV offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X7 can only carry 7.

The Escalade-V’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Escalade-V ESV’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Escalade-V’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Escalade-V’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X7’s (7000 vs. 5950 pounds).

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 X7 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade-V has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X7 (1330 vs. 1261 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escalade-V has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Escalade-V has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escalade-V will cost $4160 to $9310 less than the X7 over a five-year period.

The Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV outsold the BMW X7 by 31% during 2022.