2025 Dodge Durango vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

The 2025 Dodge Durango was a striking presence on Canadian roads, with its base GT model starting at $56,511, inclusive of destination charges, fees, and factory discounts. The SRT Hellcat variant, with its supercharged V8 engine, commanded a hefty $151,915. The Silver Bullet special edition package, featuring Triple Nickel paint, added a touch of flair with its satin black hood, unique wheels, and dark badges, enhancing the Hellcat's visual appeal. Inside, the SRT Hellcat offered a subdued yet premium feel with dark red Nappa leather seats and a suede headliner, though some plastic surfaces detracted from its luxury aspirations.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, meanwhile, continued to embody Cadillac's legacy of luxury, with its updated design further distinguishing it from its Chevrolet and GMC siblings. The new front end, reminiscent of Cadillac's EV lineup, featured large vertical headlights and horizontal daytime running lights. The Escalade's imposing presence was accentuated by available 24-inch wheels and tall vertical taillights. Inside, Cadillac's focus on luxury was evident with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, offering a high-tech interface. The Escalade's interior was a blend of opulence and technology, with options like Renaissance Red leather and a 36-speaker audio system enhancing the experience.

The 2025 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, from the 295-horsepower V6 in the GT model to the formidable 710-horsepower supercharged V8 in the SRT Hellcat. The Hellcat's engine delivered 645 pound-feet of torque, propelling the SUV to 96 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h. Despite its impressive performance, the Durango's fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 20.5 L/100 km in the city and 13.8 on the highway. The Durango's handling was enhanced by a competition-tuned adaptive damping suspension and Brembo brakes, making it feel track-ready despite its size.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped its diesel option, leaving the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 as the standard engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V variant boasted a supercharged V8 with 682 horsepower. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth power delivery. The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control and optional air suspension provided a comfortable ride, though it couldn't match the handling precision of some European rivals. The Escalade's brakes, while adequate, could be upgraded with a performance package for enhanced stopping power.

The 2025 Dodge Durango excelled in practicality, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The SRT Hellcat model featured heated and ventilated front seats with Nappa leather, though the seats lacked lateral support during spirited driving. The second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom and comfort, while the third row was surprisingly accommodating for adults. The Durango offered 487 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,409 litres with seats folded, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV configurations, offered ample interior space. The ESV model provided additional third-row legroom and cargo capacity, with up to 4,043 litres of space available. The Escalade's interior was luxurious, with options for second-row captain's chairs and a centre console with dual wireless chargers. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, though it lacked some of the advanced towing features found in rivals like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2025 Dodge Durango featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The system supported dual-phone Bluetooth pairing and included SRT Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics. While the voice recognition system was functional, it required specific commands for optimal performance.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade boasted a cutting-edge 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, integrating a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 19-speaker AKG audio system, and an optional 36-speaker upgrade. Cadillac's interface was user-friendly, with haptic feedback and a rotary dial for control. The Escalade also offered extensive rear-seat entertainment options, including dual 12.6-inch screens and a centre console with wireless charging.

The 2025 Dodge Durango's safety features were basic, with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Its crash-test ratings were mediocre, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and concerns in the IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available, though its handoff to manual control could be abrupt. Current crash test ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.