2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 INFINITI QX80

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly longer and wider while maintaining its height. It retained its body-on-frame architecture, but with a new frame that significantly improved torsional and lateral stiffness. The QX80's styling became more expressive, particularly at the front, with a larger grille and a distinctive stacked-headlight setup. The rear end maintained its general shape but featured full-width taillights with over 300 LEDs. The interior received a high-tech makeover with a large horizontal display and 64-colour ambient lighting, although the use of shiny black plastic trim detracted from the premium feel.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued to embody old-school Cadillac luxury, distinguishing itself from its platform-sharing siblings with a new front end that aligned it stylistically with Cadillac's EVs. The Escalade featured large vertical headlights and tall vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. It offered both standard and long-wheelbase configurations, with various trim levels and a performance model. Inside, Cadillac focused on hiding its shared platform origins, introducing a 55-inch display across the dashboard. The Escalade's interior offered a range of curated motifs and extensive creature comforts, particularly for second-row passengers.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, replacing the previous 5.6-litre V8. This engine produced 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, a significant increase over the outgoing V8. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, and four-wheel drive remained standard in Canada. The QX80 featured an air suspension and adaptive damping, providing a compliant ride and adjustable ride height. Despite its improvements, the QX80's handling remained average for a large body-on-frame SUV.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving only the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet 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, ensuring smooth power delivery. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard, with the Escalade-V offering a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on most models, but the Escalade's handling couldn't match unibody competitors.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's redesign increased cargo space by 6%, 17%, and 28% behind the first, second, and third rows, respectively. This resulted in 623 litres with all rows in place, 1,670 litres with the third row folded, and 2,860 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The QX80 offered power-folding second- and third-row seats, with various seating configurations available. Passenger space was generous, with increased legroom in the first and third rows. The QX80 boasted a maximum towing capacity of 3,855 kilograms.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the latter providing additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The standard-length model offered 722 litres of cargo space 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. The Escalade's towing capacity was 3,675 kilograms for the standard model and 3,628 kilograms for the ESV. While it offered ample space, the Escalade didn't match the towing features of some competitors.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured dual 14.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for infotainment. A smaller 9-inch touchscreen handled additional controls. The QX80 was the first Infiniti model with Google built-in apps, including Google Maps for navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported. The QX80 offered Klipsch sound systems, with a 14-speaker system in Luxe models and a 24-speaker version in Sensory and Autograph models. A 360-degree camera system and various camera views were available.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade introduced a 55-inch door-to-door display, incorporating 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, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added 12.6-inch screens and additional controls for second-row passengers. The Escalade's tech was user-friendly, with haptic feedback and a traditional steering wheel.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and a trailer blind-spot warning system. The QX80 offered ProPilot Assist highway driving assistance, with adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring. The more advanced ProPilot Assist 2.1 version allowed for hands-free driving and automated lane changes.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured standard driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat conveyed warnings through vibrations. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving system, was available, allowing for hands-free driving on mapped roads. Current crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of writing.