Compare the2025 Cadillac Escalade-VVS 2024 BMW XM

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 XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable 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 XM doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Escalade-V and the XM 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, around view monitors, 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 XM. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XM 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 XM 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 38 more horsepower (682 vs. 644) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (653 vs. 590) than the XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid.

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

The Escalade-V’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (24 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escalade-V ESV’s standard fuel tank has 10.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (28.3 vs. 18.2 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 XM 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 XM.

For better traction, the Escalade-V has larger tires than the XM (285/40R24 vs. 275/35R23).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escalade-V has standard 24-inch wheels. Smaller 22-inch wheels are standard on the XM. The XM’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 XM 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 XM 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 XM; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The front and rear suspension of the Escalade-V uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XM, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Escalade-V has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Escalade-V’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escalade-V is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the XM.

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 XM doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Escalade-V ESV offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XM can only carry 5. The Escalade-V has standard seating for 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Escalade-V’s middle row seats recline. The XM’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

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

The Escalade-V’s available folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Escalade-V’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Escalade-V’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XM’s (7000 vs. 5952 pounds).

The Escalade-V has a higher standard payload capacity than the XM (1140 vs. 1041 lbs.).

The Escalade-V has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the XM (1300 vs. 1043 lbs.).

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 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 XM does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Escalade-V’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. Comfort Access standard on the XM doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the 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 XM 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 XM doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Escalade-V and the XM have standard massaging front seats. The Escalade-V also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the XM.

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

The Cadillac Escalade outsold the BMW XM by over 18 to one during 2023.