2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued to embody the essence of old-school Cadillac luxury, standing as the largest and most expensive model in the lineup, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV. Since its debut in 1999, the Escalade had effectively replaced the Fleetwoods and DeVilles, offering a modern take on classic luxury. The 2025 redesign further distinguished it from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, with a new front end that aligned more closely with Cadillac's EV lineup. The Escalade's exterior featured large vertical headlights and tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, complemented by the availability of massive 24-inch wheels.

Inside, Cadillac made significant efforts to differentiate the Escalade from other GM full-size SUVs. The 2025 model boasted a 55-inch OLED curved display that spanned the entire dashboard, enhancing the screen-centric interior design introduced in 2021. The Escalade offered a range of trim levels, including Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum, with the Escalade-V performance model adding a sporty touch. Interior options included various leather and fabric combinations, with the Premium Luxury Platinum model showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, delivering a level of refinement unexpected from a mainstream automaker.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested during a severe snowstorm, proved its mettle with the Rock Creek trim's 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard all-wheel drive. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder's fifth generation offered a range of trims, from S to Platinum, with the Rock Creek trim standing out for its adventurous look. The Pathfinder's exterior featured a V-Motion grille with mesh patterns and stacked LED lighting elements, while a metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch emphasized its practicality.

Inside, the Pathfinder provided a comfortable and spacious environment, accommodating four adults and their gear during a ski trip. The Rock Creek trim featured leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange "Rock Creek" logos, while higher trims offered full leather and quilted semi-aniline leather options. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats, making it a family-friendly choice. Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder's unibody construction limited its off-road capabilities compared to true body-on-frame SUVs.

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 dropped, the V8 remained a solid choice, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V, however, boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient power delivery. In Canada, most models came with standard 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 competitors like the Range Rover or BMW X7.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, with the Rock Creek trim offering 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth and decisive shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms in the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a standard transmission oil cooler. While the Pathfinder excelled in comfort and light off-roading, its soft suspension resulted in a floaty ride on twisty roads, making it less composed than some competitors.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the latter providing increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The standard-length model boasted 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, while the ESV model stretched this to 1,175 litres. The Escalade's interior was spacious, with best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom. However, competitors like the Lincoln Navigator offered more second-row and third-row legroom. The Escalade's towing capacity reached 3,675 kilograms, meeting segment expectations but lacking some of the towing features offered by rivals.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while not offering as much cargo capacity as some competitors, provided ample interior space for real-world needs. During a ski trip, it comfortably accommodated four adults and their gear. The Pathfinder offered 470 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats, enhancing its family-friendly appeal. The Pathfinder's interior featured three-zone climate control and comfortable seating, with power adjustments available in higher trims.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display that incorporated a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. 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 hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added 12.6-inch screens, wireless device chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder lagged behind in technology, with an older infotainment interface compared to some other Nissans. The Pathfinder's screen sizes ranged from 8 inches in lower trims to 9 inches in higher trims, falling short of competitors like the Kia Telluride. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo as standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system in the Platinum trim. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. Navigation was only available on higher trims, and a head-up display was exclusive to the Platinum trim.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was also available, allowing for hands-free driving on mapped roads. However, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Nissan's ProPilot Assist and traffic sign recognition were also standard on higher trims.