2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Buyers had a plethora of options to personalize their Defenders, from base prices starting at $58,525 for the 90 to $120,525 for a 130 V8, with the exclusive Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 X, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and premium interior materials, priced at $106,092. Despite its Gondwana Stone paint clashing with the orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels, the Defender X's interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial yet quality-focused cabin design.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the epitome of Cadillac luxury, showcased a new front end aligning it with Cadillac's EV lineup, featuring large vertical headlights and 24-inch wheels. Available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV models, the Escalade offered various trims, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac masked its shared platform with GM SUVs by introducing a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED. The Escalade's interior, with options like semi-aniline leather and curated motifs, exuded luxury, while our Premium Luxury Platinum test car impressed with Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, enabled the Defender 130 X to tow up to 8,200 pounds and accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road prowess, while the 11.4 inches of ground clearance and 35.4-inch wading depth underscored its capability. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less inspiring, with its 5,685-pound curb weight and fluid steering limiting its agility on twisty roads. The observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, now without the Duramax turbodiesel option, relied on a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V's supercharged V8 offered a substantial 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth power delivery, with RWD standard and 4WD optional. The Escalade-V featured a performance-oriented AWD system. Despite Magnetic Ride Control and optional air suspension, the Escalade's handling couldn't match unibody rivals like the BMW X7. The V8 provided brisk acceleration, but the brakes lacked confidence, prompting consideration of the Performance Upgrade Package with Brembo calipers.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats providing excellent visibility. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open feel, though the square side mirrors required careful adjustment. The Defender's cargo space was limited, with 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded. The side-hinged cargo door was cumbersome, but the air suspension could be lowered for easier loading.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV models, provided ample interior space. The ESV's extended wheelbase improved third-row legroom and cargo capacity, with up to 142.8 cubic feet available. The Escalade's towing capacity reached 8,100 pounds, slightly less than some competitors. The interior featured power-folding seats and a power liftgate for convenience, while the optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury touches like massage seats and headrest speakers.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's improved responsiveness and accuracy impressed, though voice command speed remained a minor issue. The Meridian premium sound system, head-up display, and ClearSight digital rearview mirror enhanced the driving experience, while the Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, integrating a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 19-speaker AKG audio system, and an optional 36-speaker version. The Executive Second Row Package added rear-seat entertainment and controls, while the augmented-reality head-up display and night vision enhanced safety and convenience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a suite of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The system operated smoothly, though lane-keep assist occasionally misjudged lane boundaries. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured standard driver-assist technologies like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided tactile warnings, while Super Cruise enabled hands-free driving on mapped roads. The system's performance improved, though manual control transitions could be abrupt. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.