Cadillac Escalade vs Cadillac CTS

Every brand needs to undergo occasional makeovers to keep its product portfolio relevant. Brands like Lexus and Jaguar have been doing this the last 5 to 10 years, but the brand that took it upon itself to reinvent its image, and the car that started it all, was the CTS. It arrived in 2002 and was the first truly modern Cadillac. Unlike its big land-barge predecessors, the CTS was taut and featured angular styling and forward-looking engines and technology.

Each successive generation of the CTS has seen an evolution of the angles, the powertrains, and the tech, culminating with this car: the 2016 Cadillac CTS. The third generation of the CTS is the largest, most refined, and most high-tech version of the car to date. The third generation of the CTS debuted for the 2015 model year, and is largely carried over to 2016, save for a few key updates.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade maintains the momentum of one of the most recognizable SUV nameplates. The current-generation Escalade was introduced as a 2021 model, but for 2025 it gets a refresh that includes styling changes and a redesigned dashboard display. The all-electric 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ joins the lineup as well, but that’s covered in a separate review. This gasoline Escalade competes against full-size luxury SUVs like the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

Verdict: If you’re willing to spend extra on a well-optioned example, the Escalade is a credible luxury vehicle. But its platform’s shortcomings can’t be erased.