2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Mazda CX-50

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 was a standout in the compact SUV category, borrowing design cues from the CX-5 but enhancing them with more pronounced fender flares and a wider grille. This gave the CX-50 a sportier and more athletic appearance while maintaining an elegant presence. Inside, the CX-50 featured a traditional layout with high-quality materials, including soft-touch surfaces and sturdy plastics. The interior was further accentuated by distinct stitching and exclusive red leather upholstery in the hybrid model. However, the decorative stripe running down the middle of the seats was a point of contention, as some found its placement awkward.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade embodied old-school Cadillac luxury with its updated design, setting it apart from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts. The most significant exterior change was the new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade with Cadillac's EVs. The Escalade's massive 24-inch wheels and vertical taillights added to its imposing presence. Inside, Cadillac worked to differentiate the Escalade from other GM SUVs, featuring a screen-centric interior with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The Escalade offered various trim levels, each with unique interior motifs, and the Premium Luxury Platinum model impressed with its Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid debuted with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, delivering 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. While not designed for serious off-road use, the AWD system provided adequate traction. The hybrid powertrain, borrowed from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, offered a smart balance between the 187 hp base engine and the 256 hp Turbo models. Acceleration was comparable to the RAV4 Hybrid, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 to 8 seconds. The sportier suspension tuning of the CX-50 resulted in engaging handling, though it came at the cost of a firmer ride quality.

For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade-V featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth power delivery. In Canada, 4WD was standard on most models, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented AWD system. Despite its size, the Escalade's ride quality was impressive, though it couldn't match the handling of luxury competitors like the BMW X7.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offered a comfortable driving experience but fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to rivals. While the front seats provided ample room, the rear seats were less accommodating for taller passengers. Personal storage was adequate, but competitors offered more options. The CX-50's cargo capacity was limited to 826 litres behind the rear seats, which was below the class average. However, the space was usable, and features like a power liftgate and underfloor storage added convenience.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in short and long-wheelbase configurations, excelled in interior space. The long-wheelbase ESV model offered increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade provided ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows, though third-row headroom was limited. Cargo capacity was best-in-segment, with the standard model offering 722 litres behind the rear seats and the ESV model stretching to 1,175 litres. The Escalade's towing capacity met segment expectations, though it lacked some of the towing features offered by competitors.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment system controlled by a centre console dial, with touchscreen functionality limited to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This setup appealed to those who preferred a less distracting interface. All models came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the hybrid model included a wireless charging pad. The base audio system had eight speakers, while the GT trim boasted a 12-speaker Bose system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The infotainment system included a digital instrument cluster, central 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, and the optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in most evaluations and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The systems functioned smoothly, with no false alarms.

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 Safety Alert Seat provided additional warnings, and the Super Cruise system allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads. While crash test ratings were not available, the Escalade's safety features were extensive.