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2021 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2021 Infiniti QX80
2019 Infiniti QX80 ・ Photo by Infiniti
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade and 2021 Infiniti QX80 are full-size, luxury SUVs. Both are available with seating for up to eight people with spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped interiors. They have lots of room for cargo, even when full with passengers, and they can tow items that are too large to stow. They also have powerful engines that easily get these large vehicles up to speed.
These are similar SUVs, but there are big differences between the two. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Cadillac Escalade and the 2021 Infiniti QX80 to see which of these luxury SUVs is the better choice.
One Old, One New
Every new model year brings changes. Sometimes they’re subtle, like a new exterior color or interior trim; sometimes, they’re more significant, like expanded infotainment features or an updated exterior. Then there are the years a model is “all-new.” This means that it received a top-to-bottom makeover that often includes updated revamped styling, new features, and revised powertrains.
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 is a carryover, so there aren’t significant changes from the prior model year, but the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is all-new. There are big changes compared to last year’s model: a new look, state-of-the-art infotainment, and new features. If you want the latest and greatest, then there’s only one choice.
Photo by General Motors
Wide Range of Prices
The Escalade and the QX80 sit at the top of their respective lineups, making them the most expensive offerings from their brands. You can’t get a cheap version of either, but the trim lineups do offer a wide range of pricing. The QX80 is available in three trims starting at $69,050 for the Luxe with rear-wheel drive. The Sensory with four-wheel drive sits at the top of the range with a price of $83,300.
The Escalade comes in five trims starting with the rear-wheel drive Luxury at $77,490 and topping out with the four-wheel drive Platinum at $104,290. The extended wheelbase Escalade ESV ranges from $80,490 to $107,290. The QX80 offers a more affordable luxury experience.
Photo by Infiniti
Room for the Whole Family
Both the Cadillac Escalade and the Infiniti QX80 come with second-row captain’s chairs and seating for seven people, but an optional second-row bench seat in each ups capacity to eight. There’s plenty of room for even the tallest passengers in the first two rows. The third row, as is the case in most every three-row vehicle, is best for two unless you’re tucking the kids in the back.
The Escalade has more legroom in all three rows. There’s an extra 4.9 inches for the first row, 0.7 inches in the second row, and 6.1 inches for the third row. The Escalade's third row is more comfortable for adults than the QX80's.
Photo by General Motors
Easy to Stay Connected
The Infiniti QX80 has a dual-screen infotainment system with an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower touchscreen. It includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, a 13-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM/CD, and an in-dash CD player.
The Cadillac Escalade has a series of OLED displays that are a combined 38 inches. There’s a 16.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and 7.2-inch touchscreen control panel to the left of the instrument cluster. A 19-speaker AKG audio system is standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Escalade’s updated infotainment comes out on top for both its screen size and its sleek, thoroughly modern design.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
Key Standard Safety Features
The Cadillac Escalade and Infiniti QX80 both received a four-star rating in National Institute for Highway Safety crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has yet to crash-test either vehicle. The QX80 has standard forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot intervention, predictive forward collision warning, backup collision intervention, and lane departure prevention.
The Escalade includes a similar array of standard safety features but adds a few more: rear pedestrian detection, front and rear park assist, and a safety alert seat. While key safety features are standard on both of these luxury suvs, the Escalade adds a few more from the start than the QX80.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
Perks of an Extended Wheelbase
An extended wheelbase version of a vehicle means there’s more room between the wheels, and that extra length translates into a larger interior. Not only does it offer more room for passengers, but it also offers more room for hauling cargo.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV is the extended wheelbase version of the Escalade. It comes with an impressive 120.9 cubic feet for cargo and 36.6 inches of legroom in the third row. Large families who often travel full of passengers and cargo will appreciate the extra space. The Infiniti QX80 is available only with a standard wheelbase.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
Impressive Cargo and Towing Capabilities
There’s lots of room for cargo in these SUVs. The Infiniti QX80 has 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic behind the first row. It tows up to 8,500 pounds properly equipped. The Cadillac Escalade has 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 109.1 cubic feet behind the first row. It’s rated to tow up to 8,200 pounds properly equipped.
The Escalade ESV does even better with 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row. It has a max tow rating of 8,100 pounds.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
Range of Available Powertrains
Power for the Infiniti QX80 comes from a 5.6-liter V8 with 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission. It easily gets this large vehicle up to highway speeds without straining or sounding like it’s working too hard.
The Cadillac Escalade has two powertrains starting with a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Though the horsepower numbers are close, the 10-speed automatic on the Cadillac delivers that power more smoothly. It also offers more torque and a diesel, so it’s easier to tow heavy loads.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
Lacking in Fuel Efficiency
The Infiniti QX80 gets an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 13 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive trims get an EPA-estimated 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway/16 mpg combined.
The Escalade, with the gas engine, gets 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg with four wheel-drive. Equipped with rear-wheel drive numbers increase to 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway/17 mpg combined. There’s also a diesel engine that has better fuel economy, but that comes with the increased cost of diesel fuel. It’s close, but the Escalade wins.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors
And the Winner Is…
This was a tough one for the Infiniti QX80 with the Cadillac Escalade coming out the clear winner. The Escalade has more room for cargo, more room for people, a more refined infotainment system, and a few more standard safety features. The only place it lags behind the QX80 is in price. It's priced higher across the lineup.
The challenge for the QX80 is that it’s due for a significant refresh, which the Escalade got this year. While the Escalade wins the round, once the QX80 gets the “all-new” treatment, it could come out on top.
: Cadillac Escalade
Photo by General Motors