2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV marked a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader roots to a modern, car-based crossover. This electric version retained some styling cues from its gasoline counterpart but was built on a new EV-specific platform. The Blazer EV shared its wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq, yet its proportions made it appear more elongated. Its design featured a tall hood, a reimagined front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a bold presence compared to other electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV was available in LT and RS trims, each with distinct styling elements, and a forthcoming SS model promised even more unique features.

Inside, the Blazer EV offered a distinctive interior with large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, reminiscent of the gasoline Blazer and Camaro. Optional red leather upholstery added a playful touch, contrasting with the more subdued interiors of its competitors. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV mostly avoided the overuse of piano-black plastic seen in other brands. The interior design aimed to provide a fun and engaging experience, although it didn't entirely escape the stereotype of cheap GM interiors.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, on the other hand, continued to embody old-school Cadillac luxury while incorporating modern design elements. The updated design brought the Escalade closer in style to Cadillac's EV lineup, with new vertical headlights and tall taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The Escalade offered both standard and long-wheelbase ESV body styles, with various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. The interior featured a massive 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED display. This high-tech interface was complemented by luxurious materials, including real leather upholstery and curated interior motifs.

Despite its truck-like engineering, the Escalade's interior design aimed to provide a high-tech experience. The 55-inch display incorporated a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen, while a separate touchscreen handled climate controls. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a user-friendly interface. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers, including screens, wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage functions. Overall, the Escalade combined traditional luxury with modern technology, offering a comfortable and high-tech driving experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a range of powertrain options, including a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration. The RWD models delivered 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack. In contrast, the AWD models produced 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, with an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Interestingly, the dual-motor AWD had a lower output than the single-motor RWD, positioning it as the base offering. The Blazer EV also introduced a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) option for the 2025 model year, expected to be the most affordable and popular configuration. The Blazer EV SS performance model promised a dual-motor AWD powertrain with 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 96 km/h in under four seconds.

During test drives, the RWD and AWD versions of the Blazer EV RS demonstrated strong acceleration, with the AWD model offering better traction off the line. The Blazer EV's handling was impressive on twisty roads, thanks to precise steering, but the stiff suspension compromised ride comfort. Cabin noise was minimal, with only slight wind noise at highway speeds. The Blazer EV featured a steering-wheel paddle for adjusting regenerative braking levels, allowing for a customizable driving experience.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, meanwhile, dropped the Duramax turbodiesel engine option, leaving only the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine. This V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the Escalade-V boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. All Escalade models came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a balance of low ratios for acceleration and high ratios for efficient highway cruising. In Canada, four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard on most models, with the Escalade-V featuring a performance-oriented all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control damping system, combined with optional air suspension, aimed to improve ride quality, but the vehicle's weight and body-on-frame construction limited its handling capabilities. The Escalade's V8 engine provided strong acceleration and a satisfying exhaust note, but the brakes lacked confidence-inspiring performance. The optional Performance Upgrade Package included Brembo brakes and other enhancements, improving braking performance.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's interior offered a spacious feel, but its headroom and legroom were comparable to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV lacked the commanding driving position of a traditional SUV, and its high side sills and deep dashboard created a unique driving experience. Cargo space measured 722 litres with the second row in place and 1,673 litres with the seats folded, falling short of the gasoline Blazer's capacity. However, it offered more cargo space than the EV6 and featured a "presence activated" liftgate for convenience. The Blazer EV's interior included ample small-item storage, but some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV configurations, offered generous interior space. The ESV's extended wheelbase provided additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade accommodated up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. The interior boasted the most first-row headroom in its class, although second-row and third-row headroom were slightly less than competitors. Cargo space in the standard model measured 722 litres behind the rear seats, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,412 litres behind the front seats, with the ESV offering even more capacity. The Escalade's towing capacity met segment expectations, although it lacked some towing features offered by competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system, featuring built-in Google apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. However, it eliminated standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering deeper functionality for Android users but limited options for iOS users. The Blazer EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, both with sharp graphics. The infotainment system included built-in route planning and over-the-air software updates. The Blazer EV also introduced a hands-free start sequence, allowing drivers to start the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional luxury with advanced technology, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display that incorporated a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A separate touchscreen handled climate controls, and a rotary dial provided additional control options. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a user-friendly interface. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers, including screens, wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage functions.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV came equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system was standard on the SS trim and optional on the RS trim, providing hands-free driving on mapped roads.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. The Escalade also featured GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system, which had improved since previous tests. However, the handoff to manual control in construction zones was abrupt. Current crash test ratings were not available for either vehicle.