The new Cadillac Escalade is an absolute beast of a thing. However, is it good enough to rival one of the finest luxury SUVs on the market, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580?
The Escalade featured in this video is the flagship Sport Platinum variant and comes outfitted with a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the GLS 580 uses a 4.0-liter V8 that features the company’s EQ Boost technology, for a total of 483 hp and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm).
As such, it is little surprise that it is the Merc that has the performance advantage over the Cadillac. However, these two SUVs are about much more than performance; they are about luxury.
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The Escalade Sport Platinum comes standard with air suspension, but isn’t actually as comfortable as you may expect. It’s a similar story with the GLS 580; its suspension is simply not up to the standards of the S-Class, despite Mercedes-Benz marketing the GLS as the ‘S-Class of SUVs.’
Both the Escalade and the GLS are loaded with tech. Most notably, both have expansive digital instrument clusters and infotainment systems. The reviewers say that while the Mercedes has more going on inside, the Escalade is still a great place to spend time in.
In the United States, pricing for the 2021 Escalade starts at $76,195 and tops out at $99,995 for the Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum. By comparison, the GLS starts at $75,200, while the GLS 580 is priced from $97,800.