Compare the2025 Cadillac EscaladeVS 2025 Infiniti QX80

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 QX80 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade and QX80 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escalade has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX80’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escalade and the QX80 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

There are almost 3 times as many Cadillac dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escalade’s warranty.

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 QX80 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 QX80 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 Infiniti With 23 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Infiniti.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade’s fuel efficiency. The QX80 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac Escalade uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The QX80 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Escalade has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX80. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Cadillac Escalade, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

For better stopping power the Escalade’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

For better traction, the Escalade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX80 (285/40R24 vs. 275/60R20).

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 QX80’s standard 60 series tires. The Escalade’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the QX80. The Escalade’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels on the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph.

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 QX80; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escalade has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX80 (168.4 vs. 161.1).

The Escalade has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room, .5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom and 2 inches more third row legroom than the QX80.

The Escalade’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX80.

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 QX80 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade has a higher standard payload capacity than the QX80 (1570 vs. 1455 lbs.).

The Escalade has a higher maximum payload capacity than the QX80 (1580 vs. 1455 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 1% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 6th.

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 QX80 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Escalade’s available power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The QX80 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the Cadillac Escalade and the Infiniti QX80 have a standard Qi wireeless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the Escalade Platinum also offers an optional wireless charging system with chargers for two devices.

The Escalade’s Adaptive Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the Infiniti QX80 by over three to one during 2023.