2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

$90,595 · SUV

$89,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV ignites the segment with brute force, boasting 420 horsepower and a massive 227.0-inch length for undeniable road presence. Conversely, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class charms with efficiency and refinement, its AWD system providing confidence while sipping fuel at a combined 21 MPG, vastly superior to the Escalade’s 17 MPG. The Escalade counters with a whopping 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space, dwarfing the GLS-Class’s 17.4 cubic feet. While the Mercedes starts cheaper at $89,200 compared to the Cadillac’s $90,595, the power gap is significant: the Escalade offers 460 lb-ft of torque versus the GLS's 369 lb-ft. For those prioritizing sheer utility and immediate thrust, the ESV dominates, but the GLS-Class champions practicality through its superior 4 MPG advantage in combined mileage, making it the shrewder long-term cruiser.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class wins for commuters due to its superior combined 21 MPG rating versus the Escalade's 17 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV provides massive utility with 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, making family hauling effortless.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Escalade delivers a superior thrill factor with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, eclipsing the GLS's output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class presents better immediate value by starting at a lower MSRP of $89,200 and offering significantly better fuel economy.

Choose the Cadillac Escalade ESV if...

You require maximum hauling capability, as the Escalade ESV offers an enormous 41.5 cu ft of cargo volume.
You prioritize raw acceleration and power, benefiting from the Escalade's 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
You desire the imposing presence of a massive vehicle, evidenced by its 227.0-inch length.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class if...

Fuel efficiency is crucial, as the GLS achieves 21 combined MPG compared to the Escalade's 17.
All-wheel drive security is a must-have for varied weather conditions, which the GLS provides standard.
You seek a slightly lower entry price point, with the GLS starting at $89,200 versus the Escalade's $90,595.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Cadillac Escalade ESV	Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
Length	227.0"	205.0"
Width	81.1"	79.9"
Height	76.4"	71.8"
Wheelbase	134.0"	123.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	6.2 L	3.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	420 hp @ 5600 rpm	375 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm	369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Overhead valves (OHV)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
Rear Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/19 MPG	19/24 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	420.0/532.0 mi.	452.2/571.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	28.0 gal.	23.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	55.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	AKG	Burmester
Speaker System	19	13
Subwoofer Count	1	2
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	With Real Time Traffic	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Stereo Power	—	590W
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	42.3 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	44.5 in.	40.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	65.5 in.	59.3 in.
Front Hip Room	61.7 in.	60.8 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-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
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.8 in.	41.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	64.2 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	61.0 in.	60.0 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—
Power Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Dimensions	22 x 9.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	275/50R22	315/40R21
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Non-Matching	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	21 x 11.0 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

What is the major practical difference in size between the 2025 Escalade ESV and the 2025 GLS-Class?

The Cadillac Escalade ESV is significantly larger, measuring 227.0 inches long compared to the GLS-Class's 205.0 inches. This size translates directly to utility, as the Escalade boasts 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Mercedes' 17.4 cu ft.

How does the fuel economy compare between these two large SUVs?

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class holds a substantial efficiency advantage, delivering a combined 21 MPG (19 city/24 highway). The Cadillac Escalade ESV trails with only 17 combined MPG (15 city/19 highway).

If I value straight-line performance, which vehicle should I choose?

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV is the clear choice for performance enthusiasts, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The GLS-Class offers a more modest 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel, and what are the initial cost differences?

Both require premium unleaded fuel, though the Mercedes specifies it as 'required' while the Cadillac recommends it. The GLS-Class is marginally cheaper to acquire, starting at $89,200 compared to the Escalade ESV's $90,595 MSRP.

Is the drivetrain significantly different between the two luxury SUVs?

Yes, the Escalade ESV comes standard with rear-wheel drive paired to a 10-speed automatic, whereas the GLS-Class features standard all-wheel drive paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Which vehicle provides a lower overall height for garage compatibility?

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is substantially lower, measuring 71.8 inches in height, which is much easier for many garages than the Escalade ESV's imposing 76.4-inch height.