Compare the2025 Cadillac Escalade-VVS 2025 BMW X7

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 X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

A passive 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 to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The X7 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade-V and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Escalade-V 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 62 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 X7 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 307 more horsepower (682 vs. 375) and 255 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 398) than the X7 xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 159 more horsepower (682 vs. 523) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 553) than the X7 M60i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid. The Escalade-V’s 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 51 more horsepower (682 vs. 631) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 590) than the Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac Escalade-V is faster than the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escalade-V’s fuel efficiency. The X7 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escalade-V’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X7 (24 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escalade-V ESV’s standard fuel tank has 6.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X7 (28.3 vs. 21.9 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 X7 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 X7.

For better stopping power the Escalade-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X7:

For better traction, the Escalade-V has larger tires than the X7 (285/40R24 vs. 275/40R22).

The Escalade-V’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X7’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade-V has standard 24-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the X7. The X7’s largest wheels are only 23-inches.

The Cadillac Escalade-V’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X7 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 X7 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 X7; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade-V is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X7.

For better maneuverability, the Escalade-V’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (40.6 feet vs. 40.7 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 X7 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Escalade-V ESV offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X7 can only carry 7.

The Escalade-V’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Escalade-V ESV’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Escalade-V’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Escalade-V’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the X7’s (7000 vs. 5950 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

The Escalade-V’s 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 X7 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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 X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Escalade-V has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The X7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Escalade-V has standard massaging front seats. Massaging front seats cost extra on the X7. The Escalade-V 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 X7.

Both the Cadillac Escalade-V and the BMW X7 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-V also offers an optional wireless charging system with chargers for two devices.

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 X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Escalade-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escalade-V will cost $4160 to $9310 less than the X7 over a five-year period.

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the BMW X7 by 45% during 2023.