2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued to embody the essence of old-school Cadillac luxury, distinguishing itself from its GM siblings with a refreshed design. The most notable exterior update was the new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade more closely with Cadillac's electric vehicles. Vertical headlights and tall taillights paid homage to classic Cadillac designs, while the introduction of 24-inch wheels added to its imposing presence. Inside, Cadillac focused on differentiating the Escalade from other GM SUVs by enhancing its high-tech interior. The 55-inch OLED curved display spanned the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch version, and offered a futuristic, screen-centric experience. The interior materials and finishes, especially in the Premium Luxury Platinum trim, were of high quality, making it hard to believe the Escalade shared a platform with a Chevrolet.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban, on the other hand, maintained its iconic profile while incorporating modern updates. The new front fascia and rear end gave it a contemporary look, complemented by updated lighting signatures. The trim lineup remained consistent, with options ranging from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. Inside, the Suburban received significant upgrades, including a sophisticated 17.7-inch touchscreen display, replacing the outdated 10.2-inch version. The interior felt more refined, with improved HVAC controls and a new column shifter. The Suburban's spacious cabin and impressive cargo capacity made it a practical choice for families, while the updated technology and user-friendly features enhanced its appeal.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. While the diesel option was discontinued, the V8 remained a solid performer, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V variant boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8, delivering an impressive 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient gear shifts. In Canada, most models came standard with four-wheel drive, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system. Despite its power, the Escalade's handling and ride quality couldn't match the refinement of some European competitors, though it offered a commendable ride for a body-on-frame SUV.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban retained its 5.3-litre V8 as the base engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, offered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, making it a preferred choice for those seeking more power. The Suburban also continued to offer the 3.0-litre Duramax diesel engine, which received a power boost to 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided excellent fuel efficiency and smooth performance, making it an attractive option for long-distance driving. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive was standard on most trims. The Suburban's recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension improved ride comfort, especially on higher trims, while the optional air suspension further enhanced its capabilities.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase ESV configurations, providing ample interior space. The ESV model extended the wheelbase by 33.5 centimetres, resulting in increased cargo capacity and third-row legroom. The standard model provided 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 3,412 litres with all seats folded. The ESV model offered even more space, with up to 4,043 litres available. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, with the standard model rated at 3,675 kilograms. However, it lacked some of the advanced towing features found in competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers with ease. It offered 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 4,092 litres with all seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious non-commercial vehicles available. The Suburban's towing capacity was impressive, with the 5.3-litre V8 and Max Trailering Package allowing it to tow up to 3,765 kilograms. The diesel engine provided excellent fuel efficiency, making it a practical choice for long trips.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge 55-inch display that spanned the dashboard, integrating 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, along with a rotary dial for climate controls. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features like massage seats and headrest speakers, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban introduced a 17.7-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an optional 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was intuitive, some aspects, like customizing the driver display, were less user-friendly. The top-range Bose stereo offered decent sound quality, though it lagged behind premium systems in competitors.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and automatic emergency braking. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available, offering improved performance over previous iterations. However, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban included a robust set of advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind zone monitoring. While crash test ratings for the 2025 model were unavailable, the 2024 Suburban received four out of five stars from the NHTSA. Super Cruise was available on most trims, though it would not be available at launch.