2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS

$90,595 · SUV

$178,450 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant divergence between the 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV and the 2025 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is the MSRP, separating the two luxury entries by an imposing $87,855, with the Escalade ESV starting at $90,595 compared to the Maybach GLS’s $178,450. Power delivery also shows a substantial 130 horsepower gap, as the Maybach GLS boasts 550 hp against the Escalade ESV's 420 hp. Fuel economy is marginally better in the Cadillac, achieving a combined 17 MPG versus the Mercedes’ 15 MPG, despite the Escalade ESV’s larger footprint at 227.0 inches in length compared to the Maybach GLS’s 204.9 inches. Furthermore, the Escalade ESV offers more than double the usable storage space, providing 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Maybach GLS's 18.4 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Escalade ESV offers superior cargo capacity (41.5 cu ft) and a slightly lower entry price for daily usability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

With 23.1 inches more overall length and significantly more cargo space, the Escalade ESV better accommodates large families and their gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS

The Maybach GLS delivers substantially more power with 550 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, offering superior on-road performance metrics.

💰 Best Value

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Escalade ESV achieves better fuel efficiency (17 MPG combined) while costing nearly $88,000 less than its counterpart.

Choose the Cadillac Escalade ESV if...

Maximum cargo volume is essential, as the Escalade ESV provides 41.5 cu ft compared to 18.4 cu ft in Car 2.
Operating cost mitigation is a priority, evidenced by the $87,855 lower MSRP.
A longer, more imposing road presence is desired, indicated by the 227.0-inch overall length.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS if...

Prioritizing raw performance is key, demonstrated by the 550 hp output.
All-wheel drive is a mandatory feature, which the Maybach GLS includes while Car 1 is RWD standard.
Premium required fuel is acceptable in exchange for higher torque figures (538 lb-ft).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Cadillac Escalade ESV	Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS
Length	227.0"	204.9"
Width	81.1"	79.9"
Height	76.4"	72.4"
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	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	6.2 L	4.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	420 hp @ 5600 rpm	550 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm	538 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	32
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	13/18 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	15 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	420.0/532.0 mi.	309.4/428.4 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	27
Subwoofer Count	1	1
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	With Real Time Traffic
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Premium Brand Stereo System	—	Burmester
Stereo Power	—	1590W
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Subscription Duration	—	36 months

Power Feature

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Sunroof Type	—	1st Row Power Fabric Extended
Moonroof Type	—	2nd Row Fixed Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	42.3 in.	42.5 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.	—
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	12-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	12-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: Premium Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Seat Massage Function	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.8 in.	43.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	64.2 in.	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	61.0 in.	—
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Rear Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Cadillac	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Dimensions	22 x 9.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	275/50R22	325/40R22
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Non-Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	22 x 11.5 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 Maybach GLS.

What is the main functional difference in size between the two vehicles?

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV is significantly larger, measuring 227.0 inches in length compared to the 204.9-inch Maybach GLS. This contributes directly to the Escalade ESV’s superior cargo capacity of 41.5 cu ft versus 18.4 cu ft.

How does the required fuel type impact ownership costs?

Both vehicles require premium fuel, but the Maybach GLS mandates it while the Escalade ESV only recommends it. Coupled with the Escalade ESV’s slightly better 17 MPG combined rating versus 15 MPG, the Cadillac is generally less expensive to fuel.

Which vehicle provides better baseline performance metrics?

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS is the superior performer on paper, boasting 550 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Escalade ESV’s 420 hp and 460 lb-ft.

Is the drive type a critical differentiator in this comparison?

Yes, the 2025 Escalade ESV is standard rear-wheel drive, whereas the 2025 Maybach GLS utilizes an all-wheel drive system, which can influence traction in adverse weather conditions.

How much more horsepower does the Maybach GLS offer over the Escalade ESV?

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS outputs 550 hp, which is exactly 130 horsepower more than the 420 hp generated by the standard V8 engine in the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Given the high price tags, is one vehicle significantly larger internally?

Despite a massive price gap of $87,855, the cheaper Escalade ESV is considerably larger overall and offers more than double the cargo volume for practical storage needs.