Compare the2023 Cadillac Escalade ESVVS 2023 Nissan Armada

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Armada doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Escalade ESV 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 Armada doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade ESV 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 Armada doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade ESV and the Armada 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac Escalade ESV is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Escalade ESV	Armada
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	146	258
Neck Injury Risk	23%	43%
Neck Stress	312 lbs.	377 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	95 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	877/369 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	233	255
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.9 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	153 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 ESV is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Escalade ESV	Armada
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	27
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	118 lbs.	144 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches
HIC	239	437
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s

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

Warranty

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

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade ESV 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Armada. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Armada ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Escalade ESV’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Armada’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Armada’s redline is at 60050 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Escalade ESV has a 5100 to 6000 RPM redline.

The Escalade ESV 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 Armada 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 ESV has a standard 220-amp alternator (250-amp - Escalade ESV Diesel). The Armada’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Escalade ESV has a standard 800-amp battery (900 Diesel). The Armada’s 780-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade ESV first among large premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Armada 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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan 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 Nissan 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, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

The Escalade ESV’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade ESV is faster than the Nissan Armada:

	Escalade ESV	Armada
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.2 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Escalade ESV
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy
Armada
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/19 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/18 hwy

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Escalade ESV’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Armada doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escalade ESV has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Armada (28.3 vs. 26 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escalade ESV 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 Armada doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Cadillac Escalade ESV, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Armada.

Brakes and Stopping

The Escalade ESV stops much shorter than the Armada:

	Escalade ESV	Armada
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escalade ESV has larger tires than the Armada (275/50R22 vs. 265/70R18).

The Escalade ESV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Armada S/SV’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade ESV has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Armada S/SV.

Suspension and Handling

The Escalade ESV offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Armada’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade ESV’s wheelbase is 13 inches longer than on the Armada (134.1 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Escalade ESV (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 Armada doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escalade ESV has 15.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (170.4 vs. 154.5).

The Escalade ESV has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room, 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom, 8.2 inches more third row legroom, .6 inches more third row hip room and 2.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Armada.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Escalade ESV	Armada
Behind Third Seat	41.5 cubic feet	16.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	94.1 cubic feet	49.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	142.8 cubic feet	95.4 cubic feet

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Escalade ESV’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Armada 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 ESV 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 ESV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Armada can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on all models of the Escalade ESV, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. Only the Armada SV/SL/Platinum offers a trailer sway program.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

The Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport 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 Armada doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escalade ESV’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Armada’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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

The Escalade ESV 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 Armada doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Escalade ESV’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Armada S/SV/SL’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Armada doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Escalade ESV’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Armada SV/SL/Platinum.

The Escalade ESV 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 is only available on the Armada SL/Platinum.

The Escalade ESV Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Armada.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Cadillac Escalade ESV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Armada SV/SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Escalade ESV Premium/Platinum/Sport’s Adaptive Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Armada doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Escalade ESV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escalade ESV will retain 48.27% to 94.87% of its original price after five years, while the Armada only retains 44.71% to 46.47%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Escalade ESV is less expensive to operate than the Armada because typical repairs cost less on the Escalade ESV than the Armada, including $190 less for a starter and $118 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escalade ESV second among large premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Armada isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV outsold the Nissan Armada by over three to one during 2022.