2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to luxury, standing as the largest and most opulent offering in their lineup, aside from the limited-production Celestiq EV. Since its debut in 1999, the Escalade had evolved into the epitome of traditional Cadillac luxury, replacing the Fleetwoods and DeVilles of yesteryear. 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 echoed the styling of Cadillac's electric vehicles. The Escalade's exterior featured large vertical headlights and tall taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, complemented by the introduction of 24-inch wheels. Inside, Cadillac had made significant strides to differentiate the Escalade from other GM SUVs, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED display with an expansive 55-inch screen that spanned the dashboard. The interior offered a range of luxurious materials and curated motifs, with the Premium Luxury Platinum model showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, elevating the Escalade's status as a luxury SUV.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS, on the other hand, offered a lineup that included the GLS 450, GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600, with prices in Canada ranging from $125,395 to $247,795. Built in Alabama, the GLS was subject to tariffs and additional luxury taxes. Our test vehicle, the GLS 450, arrived with 21-inch AMG wheels and a premium leather interior. The AMG styling details lent a sporty appearance, resolving the awkwardness of the standard fake skid plate. The interior, while similar to the smaller GLE, boasted high-quality materials and detailing, though it exhibited some body creaks on cold mornings. The GLS 450 featured leather upholstery as standard, with options for Nappa leather and various interior trims. The dual 12.3-inch displays provided a user-friendly interface, and the standard Burmester surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality. Despite occasional delays in responsiveness, the GLS offered a tailored driving experience, with a quiet cabin and composed ride, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was powered by 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 performer, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V variant 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 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 all-wheel-drive system. The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control damping and optional air suspension offered a comfortable ride, though it lacked the structural rigidity of a unibody platform. Despite its V8 power, the Escalade's brakes were less confidence-inspiring, with Brembo six-piston front calipers available as part of a performance package.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, aided by a mild-hybrid system. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, the GLS 450 accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. While more powerful versions were available, the GLS 450 offered acceptable fuel economy, rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Dynamic Select system provided multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Eco, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLS's Airmatic adaptive suspension significantly improved ride and handling, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Despite occasional delays in responsiveness, the GLS's turbo-six engine delivered a sensational sound under hard acceleration. The GLS's tailored driving experience, combined with its quiet cabin and solid dynamics, made it a compelling choice in the luxury SUV market.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the latter providing an additional 33.5 centimetres between the wheels and a 383.5 cm increase in overall length. This primarily benefited cargo space and third-row legroom, with seating for up to eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Escalade boasted the most first-row headroom in its class, though second and third-row headroom lagged behind competitors. Cargo space was generous, 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. The ESV model further expanded cargo capacity, making it a leader in the segment. The Escalade's towing capacity met segment expectations, though it lacked some of the towing features offered by competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS provided standard seven-passenger seating, with an optional six-passenger configuration featuring second-row captain's chairs. The GLS excelled in comfort, with standard features including a four-zone climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Comfort upgrades included massaging seats, a rapid heating system, and an executive-style rear seat package. The six-passenger configuration offered power-operated second-row captain's chairs with generous legroom, though the seating position was low. The third-row seat provided good thigh support, though legroom was snug. Storage locations were limited, but the glove compartment was spacious. The GLS offered 355 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second row folded down. While cargo capacity fell short of traditional full-size luxury SUVs, the GLS's manageable dimensions made it easier to handle in urban settings.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a new 55-inch door-to-door display that incorporated a digital instrument cluster, central 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, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added dual 12.6-inch screens and a centre console with wireless chargers and massage seats, enhancing rear passenger comfort.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system with augmented reality, and a Burmester surround-sound system. Additional options included a head-up display, rear infotainment screens, and a rear passenger tablet. MBUX was user-friendly, with voice commands activated by saying "Hey Mercedes," allowing for easy control of various functions.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with standard driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations, and Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on mapped roads. However, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS boasted nearly 40 safety and driver assistance systems, including Pre-Safe and Crosswind Assist technologies. While it lacked hands-free highway driver assistance, the GLS required active driver participation, providing a smooth and refined driving experience. The GLS's braking system occasionally overreacted, but overall, it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features.