2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

$90,595 · SUV

$90,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the massive 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV and the refined 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS often boils down to balancing brute presence against everyday efficiency. If maximum space is the priority, the Escalade ESV boasts an enormous 227.0 inches in length and offers a massive 41.5 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the GLS's 17.4 cu ft. However, fuel economy presents a significant trade-off: the Cadillac manages only 17 combined MPG, while the GLS achieves a better 21 combined MPG. Power seekers will note the Escalade’s advantage, delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque compared to the GLS's 375 hp. Despite these differences, the starting MSRPs are surprisingly close, with the GLS edging out slightly at $90,250 versus the Escalade's $90,595. Your final decision hinges on whether you need the ESV's sheer capability or the GLS's superior mileage.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS is the better choice for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 21 combined MPG versus the Escalade's 17.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Families needing maximum hauling capability will strongly prefer the Escalade ESV's significantly larger 41.5 cu ft of cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Enthusiasts seeking quicker acceleration will appreciate the Escalade ESV's higher output of 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The Mercedes-Benz GLS offers better efficiency and standard All-Wheel Drive for $345 less than the Cadillac.

Choose the Cadillac Escalade ESV if...

You absolutely require the most expansive interior space, evidenced by its 41.5 cu ft cargo volume.
You prioritize raw performance, as the Escalade ESV offers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
The sheer presence and road authority provided by its 227.0-inch length are non-negotiable for you.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLS if...

Maximizing fuel budget is key, given its 4 MPG combined advantage (21 MPG vs. 17 MPG).
You prefer the added security of standard All-Wheel Drive over the Escalade's RWD setup.
You want a slightly lower entry price, as the GLS starts at $90,250 compared to the Escalade's $90,595.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Cadillac Escalade ESV	Mercedes-Benz GLS
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 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Is the 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV much bigger than the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS?

Yes, the difference is substantial. The Escalade ESV measures 227.0 inches long, making it 22 inches longer than the GLS’s 205.0 inches, translating directly into superior space inside.

Which vehicle is more economical to run daily?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS is notably more economical, achieving 21 combined MPG. The Escalade ESV lags behind with only 17 combined MPG, which is a 4 MPG deficit.

Do I need premium fuel for both of these large luxury SUVs?

Both vehicles require premium gasoline; the Cadillac recommends premium unleaded, while the Mercedes-Benz explicitly requires it for its engine.

How much more powerful is the Escalade ESV?

The Escalade ESV has a clear power advantage, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is 45 hp more than the GLS’s 375 hp rating.

What is the cargo capacity difference between these two SUVs?

The Cadillac Escalade ESV provides 41.5 cu ft of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is over double the 17.4 cu ft offered by the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Is there a drivetrain difference between the two models?

Yes, the standard configuration for the Escalade ESV is Rear Wheel Drive, whereas the Mercedes-Benz GLS comes standard with an All-Wheel Drive system.