Compare the2025 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2025 Acura MDX

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

Safety

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A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade (except Luxury) helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The MDX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escalade has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The MDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

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

The Cadillac Escalade weighs 1031 to 1746 pounds more than the Acura MDX. 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 is safer than the Acura MDX:

	Escalade	MDX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	146	244
Neck Injury Risk	23%	29%
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	463/521 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	288
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	75 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 is safer than the Acura MDX:

	Escalade	MDX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	107
Hip Force	118 lbs.	226 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	142
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	549
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	40 G’s

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

Warranty

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

There are over 2 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escalade’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshaft in the Escalade’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Escalade 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 MDX 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 rated the Escalade second among large premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The MDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Acura.

Engine

The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 130 more horsepower (420 vs. 290) and 193 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Escalade’s 6.2 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (420 vs. 355) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade is faster than the Acura MDX:

	Escalade	MDX V6	MDX Type S
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	7.5 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.8 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.6 MPH	88.6 MPH	96.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Escalade has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (24 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escalade	MDX	MDX Type S
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.8 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches	13 inches

The Escalade’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The Escalade stops much shorter than the MDX:

	Escalade	MDX
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escalade has larger standard tires than the MDX (275/50R22 vs. 255/55R19). The Escalade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (285/40R24 vs. 275/40R21).

The Escalade’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MDX’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the MDX. The Escalade’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the MDX Type S.

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

The Escalade has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the MDX (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Escalade’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the MDX’s (39.5 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Escalade has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Escalade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Escalade Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the MDX Type S (10 vs. 9.4 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Escalade uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The MDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Escalade Sport Platinum 4WD is quieter than the MDX Type S (75 vs. 76 dB).

Passenger Space

The Escalade offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Escalade has 29.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (168.4 vs. 139.1).

The Escalade has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room, 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom, 5.8 inches more third row legroom, 8.8 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Escalade	MDX
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	18.1 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.9 cubic feet	48.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	120.5 cubic feet	95 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Escalade’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 MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Payload and Towing

The Escalade’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (7900 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Escalade 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 can be unhitched and driven around locally. The MDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1570 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Escalade has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1580 vs. 1173 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Escalade is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, Acura is ranked 9th.

Ergonomics

The Escalade’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 MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Escalade and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escalade is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Escalade’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Escalade’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 MDX’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 has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Cadillac Escalade has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the MDX.

The Escalade Premium/Platinum/Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the Escalade Platinum offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Escalade 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 MDX Advance.

Both the Escalade and the MDX offer available massaging front seats. The Escalade Platinum also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the MDX.

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

Recommendations

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