2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in Canada in B6 and Recharge T8 model series, was a testament to Volvo's commitment to luxury and sustainability. The XC90 B6 featured a turbocharged and supercharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid offering superior performance and efficiency, with an estimated electric-only range of 53 kilometres. Both models came standard with all-wheel drive and were available in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $71,550 to $94,500, excluding destination charges and fees. The Recharge T8 Ultimate trim, tested with seven-passenger seating, boasted features like massaging front seats, a premium headliner, active air suspension, and a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, culminating in a Canadian MSRP of $107,709. The XC90's exterior was characterized by a subdued and earthy paint palette, with various appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches, and a Bright theme contrasting with the blacked-out trend. Inside, the design was dated but rich in materials, offering options like wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, complemented by an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the largest and most expensive Cadillac, continued to embody old-school luxury with its updated design. The new front end brought the gasoline Escalade closer in style to the Escalade IQ and other Cadillac EVs, featuring large vertical headlights and smaller horizontal daytime running lights. The rear maintained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs, and for the first time, 24-inch wheels were available, enhancing its imposing presence. Cadillac offered standard and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV body styles, with trim levels including Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum, plus the performance-oriented Escalade-V. The interior, designed to mask its shared platform with other GM SUVs, featured a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED curved display. The Escalade's interior motifs included Renaissance Red leather with open-pore wood trim and Jet Black leather with carbon-fibre trim for the Escalade-V. The Premium Luxury Platinum test car showcased Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, offering a level of finish impressive for a mainstream automaker.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The battery and electric motor allowed for 53 kilometres of electric-only driving, with a combined hybrid fuel economy of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. In Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in five seconds. Recharging was straightforward, taking about 12 hours with a standard outlet or less than half that time with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 offered various driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with additional battery modes like Hold and Auto. However, during testing, the XC90 fell short of its electric range and fuel economy estimates, achieving 45 kilometres of electric range and 9.6 L/100 km in combined driving. Despite its power, the XC90 was not a performance SUV, with handling that was less thrilling and a ride quality that was firm on irregular pavement.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine, leaving the naturally aspirated gasoline 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade-V continued with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivering 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, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented AWD system. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on all but the base Luxury grade, but even with optional air suspension, the Escalade's ride quality couldn't match the polish of a Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz GLS. The V8 engine provided quick acceleration and a pleasing sound, but the brakes lacked confidence, with Brembo six-piston front calipers available as part of a Performance Upgrade Package.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior, even in Core trim, with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, optional leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, and more. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, but their design could catch on clothing. The XC90 seated seven or six with optional captain’s chairs, with a comfortable bench seat in the second row. Interior storage was adequate, and cargo capacity reached 1,854 litres with the third-row seat down and 2,426 litres with the second-row seat folded.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase configurations, offered ample space, with the ESV model providing additional cargo space and third-row legroom. Seating for up to eight was available, or seven with second-row captain’s chairs. The Escalade boasted the most first-row headroom in its class, with competitive second-row headroom and legroom. Cargo capacity was best-in-segment, with the standard model offering 722 litres behind the rear seats, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,412 litres behind the front seats. ESV models further increased cargo space, and the Escalade's towing capacity met segment expectations, though it lacked some towing features offered by competitors.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard, with premium audio options available. The infotainment system was intuitive, despite its small size, and included a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The XC90 also had a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, a 19-speaker AKG audio system, and optional 36-speaker system. The Escalade retained wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The interface was user-friendly, with haptic feedback on the control screen and a traditional steering wheel. The optional Executive Second Row Package added 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless device chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not as innovative as competitors, with features like Pilot Assist, which struggled in certain conditions and made a significant error during testing.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving system. Super Cruise had improved since previous tests, though the handoff to manual control was abrupt. Current crash test ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.