2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, continued to blend seamlessly into traffic despite its massive size. With a history stretching back 90 years, the Suburban was a familiar sight on the roads, offering a sense of tradition and reliability. Its imposing dimensions, measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, made it a vehicle not suited for everyone, especially in urban settings. However, for those in need of ample cargo and passenger space, as well as towing capacity, the Suburban was a practical choice. Available in six trims, from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, the Suburban offered a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED headlights, and tinted windows. While the interior provided comfort and space, even the top-tier trims felt somewhat pedestrian, lacking the luxurious feel expected at higher price points.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, on the other hand, represented the pinnacle of Cadillac luxury, taking over from the Fleetwoods and DeVilles of the past. The updated design further distinguished it from its GM siblings, with a new front end that echoed Cadillac's EV lineup. The Escalade's exterior featured large vertical headlights and 24-inch wheels, enhancing its commanding presence. Inside, Cadillac worked hard to differentiate the Escalade from other GM SUVs, introducing a 55-inch OLED curved display that spanned the dashboard. The interior offered a range of luxurious materials and curated motifs, with the Premium Luxury Platinum trim showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim. Despite its shared platform, the Escalade's interior felt distinct and upscale, providing a sense of opulence that was hard to match.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-litre V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms when equipped with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, provided 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering smoother acceleration. The Duramax diesel, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, excelled in fuel economy and towing, making it a preferred choice for those seeking efficiency. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's size was managed well by its steering and brakes, though drivers needed to account for its weight and potential body roll.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the diesel option, offering only the 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and the Escalade-V's supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, balancing performance and efficiency. Most models came with standard 4WD, while the Escalade-V featured a performance-oriented AWD system. The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control and optional air suspension offered a comfortable ride, though it couldn't match the handling of unibody competitors. The brakes, while adequate, could be upgraded with the Performance Upgrade Package, which included Brembo calipers and other enhancements.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 1,175 litres behind the third row, 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres. This made it a top choice for those needing substantial carrying capacity, surpassing competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for long highway drives between fill-ups, making it ideal for road trips.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV configurations, provided ample interior space. The ESV offered increased cargo space and third-row legroom, with 1,175 litres behind the third row, 2,664 litres behind the second row, and 4,043 litres behind the first row. The standard model offered 722 litres behind the rear seats, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,412 litres behind the front seats. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, though it lacked some of the towing features offered by rivals like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on most trims, with Google Built-in providing access to essential apps without phone pairing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system fell short of expectations, lacking the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 55-inch door-to-door display, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger screen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers. While the tech could be overwhelming, Cadillac's design choices aided usability, though some functions still relied on touchscreens.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver feature. Higher trims offered additional ADAS and the option for Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations, and Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Escalade's safety features were comprehensive, though the handoff to manual control in certain situations could be abrupt.