2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV presented a sleek and mature appearance, subtly differentiating itself from its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart. While both models shared similar design elements like rounded wheel wells and a flat beltline, the EV version featured more decisive lines, a thicker body-coloured C-pillar, and a sleeker grille. The front fascia was predominantly body-coloured, and the rear design echoed the front with a light bar, replacing shield shapes with hexagons. Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels on the 2LT trim and 21-inch versions on higher trims added to its modern look. The Equinox EV offered vibrant colour options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," which gave it a youthful and exuberant vibe. Two-tone paint jobs were available, with options for a white or black roof depending on the trim. Interior colour choices expanded with higher trims, offering combinations like black with blue accents or Sky Cool Grey, and sporty options like Adrenaline Red for the 2RS and 3RS trims.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, on the other hand, embodied old-school Cadillac luxury with its updated design, further distinguishing itself from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts. The most significant exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically closer to Cadillac's EVs. The headlights were large vertical bars, complemented by horizontal daytime running lights. The rear maintained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, and for the first time, 24-inch wheels were available. The Escalade offered both standard and long-wheelbase ESV body styles, with various trim levels including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac enhanced the Escalade's interior with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED curved display. The interior featured luxurious materials, with options for real leather and curated motifs like Renaissance Red leather with open-pore wood trim. The Premium Luxury Platinum model impressed with its Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, showcasing a level of finish unexpected from a mainstream automaker.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a hands-free start, a common feature in modern EVs, allowing drivers to simply get in and go. It offered one-pedal driving across all trims, with settings for regenerative braking and various drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant delivered 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version boasted a dual-motor powertrain with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV could tow up to 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) when properly equipped. It offered impressive range estimates, with 513 kilometres for FWD models and 494 km for AWD, thanks to its 85-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery. The Equinox EV supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining about 125 kilometres of range in 10 minutes, and Level 2 charging at 11.5 kW, adding up to 55 km of range per hour.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel engine, leaving only the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade-V continued with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing a balance of low and high ratios for efficient driving. In Canada, most models came with standard four-wheel drive (4WD), while the Escalade-V had a performance-focused all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base Luxury grade, offering adaptive damping for a smoother ride. Despite its power, the Escalade's brakes lacked confidence, with an optional Performance Upgrade Package available for enhanced braking performance.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered a range of interior features, with higher trims providing premium amenities. The 2LT trim included heated front seats, steering wheel, and outside mirrors, along with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and optional panoramic moonroof. The 3LT trim added power adjustments for the passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, and heated rear seats. Dual-zone climate control was limited to 3LT and above. The Equinox EV provided ample headroom and legroom, with 994 mm of front headroom and 1,058 mm of front legroom. Cargo space measured 748 litres with all seats in place and 1,620 litres with the second row folded down, with roof rails standard on all but the base trim.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered spacious interiors with both standard and long-wheelbase configurations. The Escalade ESV provided additional cargo space and third-row legroom. Seating for up to eight was available, with options for second-row captain's chairs. The Escalade boasted best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom, with competitive second and third-row measurements. Cargo space in the standard-length model was 722 litres behind the rear seats, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,412 litres behind the front seats. ESV models offered even more cargo capacity. The Escalade's towing capacity was 3,675 kilograms (8,100 pounds) for the standard-wheelbase model, with slightly lower ratings for the ESV.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, providing Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, offering navigation, route planning, and battery pre-conditioning through the MyChevrolet app.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display, digital instrument cluster, and multiple touchscreens for climate controls and other functions. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for second-row passengers, including screens, wireless chargers, and upgraded seats.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, and more. Additional features included rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway-driving assist system, was available starting with the 2LT trim.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and automatic emergency braking. Super Cruise was also available, allowing for hands-free driving on mapped roads. The Escalade included GM-specific features like teen driver monitoring and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat for warnings.