Compare the2025 Cadillac Escalade ESVVS 2025 Infiniti QX80

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Escalade ESV (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.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Infiniti QX80 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Escalade ESV and QX80 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escalade ESV 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 ESV 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 ESV’s warranty.

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 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 ESV 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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade ESV is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade ESV’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 ESV 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 ESV has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX80 (28.3 vs. 23.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escalade ESV 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 ESV, 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 ESV’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

The Escalade ESV stops much shorter than the QX80:

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

The Escalade ESV’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 ESV’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 ESV has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the QX80. The Escalade ESV’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels on the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph.

The Escalade ESV 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escalade ESV’s wheelbase is 13.1 inches longer than on the QX80 (134.1 inches vs. 121 inches).

The front grille of the Escalade ESV 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 ESV has 9.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX80 (170.4 vs. 161.1).

The Escalade ESV 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 3.9 inches more third row legroom than the QX80.

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

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 QX80 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Escalade ESV has a higher standard payload capacity than the QX80 (1500 vs. 1455 lbs.).

The Escalade ESV has a higher maximum payload capacity than the QX80 (1600 vs. 1455 lbs.).

The Escalade ESV’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 ESV’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 ESV 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 ESV and the Infiniti QX80 have a standard Qi wireless 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 ESV Platinum also offers an optional wireless charging system in the second row seat with chargers for two devices. The QX80 does not.

The Escalade ESV’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 almost four to one during 2024.