2025 Audi SQ7 vs 2026 Cadillac Escalade

$90,800 · Crossover

$91,100 · SUV

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Audi SQ7 and the 2026 Cadillac Escalade often comes down to prioritizing athletic performance versus sheer bulk and utility. If you are looking at two premium family haulers hovering around the $91,000 price point—the SQ7 at $90,800 and the Escalade at $91,100—the differences become apparent quickly. The Audi dominates in raw power, boasting 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, making it significantly punchier than the Escalade’s 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. However, this performance comes in a smaller, 199.6-inch long package, whereas the Escalade stretches to 211.9 inches, offering a massive 25.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the SQ7’s 14.2 cu ft. Interestingly, both land at an identical 17 MPG combined rating, though the Audi mandates premium fuel while the Escalade only recommends it.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi SQ7

The smaller dimensions (199.6 inches long) and higher power output of the SQ7 make it easier to manage in city driving than the massive Escalade.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade offers nearly double the utility with 25.5 cu ft of cargo space versus the SQ7's 14.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Audi SQ7

The SQ7 delivers a substantial advantage with 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, beating the Escalade’s 420 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi SQ7

For a slightly lower MSRP of $90,800, the SQ7 provides significantly greater horsepower (500 hp vs 420 hp).

Choose the Audi SQ7 if...

You prioritize responsive acceleration, thanks to its 500 hp output.
You need a more manageable vehicle size for urban parking (199.6 inches long).
You want the best power-to-dollar ratio, achieving 568 lb-ft of torque for less money.

Choose the Cadillac Escalade if...

Maximum hauling capacity is critical, as it provides 25.5 cu ft of cargo room.
You prefer a larger, more imposing presence, given its 211.9-inch length and 76.7-inch height.
You prefer a vehicle where premium fuel is recommended rather than strictly required.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi SQ7	Cadillac Escalade
Length	199.6"	211.9"
Width	77.6"	81.1"
Height	68.5"	76.7"
Wheelbase	118.0"	121.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	6.2 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	500 hp	420 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	568 lb-ft	460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
Number of Valves	32	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Overhead valves (OHV)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/21 MPG	15/19 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	17 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	337.5/472.5 mi.	360.0/456.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	22.5 gal.	24.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	55.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	755W	—
Speaker System	19	21
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Premium Speaker Brand	—	AKG
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	42.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	65.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	61.7 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	38.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	41.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	64.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	61.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	21 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	✓	275/50R22
Wheel Dimensions	—	22 x 9.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Full Size Non-Matching
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	Cadillac
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi SQ7 and 2026 Cadillac Escalade.

How much more powerful is the Audi SQ7 compared to the Cadillac Escalade?

The 2025 Audi SQ7 is substantially more powerful, putting out 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the 2026 Cadillac Escalade offers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, leaving the Audi with an 80 hp advantage.

Is one vehicle significantly better for hauling cargo?

Yes, the Escalade is the clear winner for cargo volume. It offers a massive 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, whereas the SQ7 is much tighter at only 14.2 cubic feet.

Do these luxury vehicles have similar fuel economy ratings?

Surprisingly, both vehicles share the exact same combined MPG rating of 17. However, the SQ7 lists its City/Highway figures at 15/21 MPG, while the larger Escalade trails slightly at 15/19 MPG.

What is the primary difference in their footprint size?

The Cadillac Escalade is considerably larger overall. It measures 211.9 inches long and 81.1 inches wide, compared to the Audi SQ7’s length of 199.6 inches and width of 77.6 inches.

How do the base MSRPs compare for these models?

The starting prices are very close, with the 2025 Audi SQ7 listed at $90,800 and the 2026 Cadillac Escalade listed slightly higher at $91,100.

Do both models require premium gasoline?

The 2025 Audi SQ7 explicitly requires premium unleaded fuel for its performance engine. The 2026 Cadillac Escalade, while often benefiting from premium, lists it as only recommended.