Compare the2024 Cadillac Escalade-VVS 2023 BMW XM

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 XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 XM doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade-V and the XM 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the XM. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XM 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 XM 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 38 more horsepower (682 vs. 644) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 590) than the XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid.

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

The Escalade-V’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (24 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escalade-V ESV’s standard fuel tank has 10.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (28.3 vs. 18.2 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 XM 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 XM.

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

The Cadillac Escalade-V’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW XM 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 XM 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 XM; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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

The Escalade-V has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Escalade-V’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade-V is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the XM.

For better maneuverability, the Escalade-V’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the XM’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 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 XM doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Escalade-V ESV offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XM can only carry 5. The Escalade-V has standard seating for 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Escalade-V’s middle row seats recline. The XM’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

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

The Escalade-V’s available folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

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 XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Escalade-V’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XM’s (7000 vs. 5952 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 XM can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade-V has a higher standard payload capacity than the XM (1140 vs. 1074 lbs.).

The Escalade-V has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the XM (1330 vs. 1074 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.

The Escalade-V’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 XM does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 XM 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 XM doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.