Compare the2026 Jeep Grand WagoneerVS 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Grand Wagoneer has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Jeep Grand Wagoneer achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Cadillac Escalade ESV has not been tested.

Both the Grand Wagoneer and the Escalade ESV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is safer than the Cadillac Escalade ESV:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is safer than the Cadillac Escalade ESV:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Wagoneer for 5 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Escalade ESV.

There are over 4 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Wagoneer’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Grand Wagoneer have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade ESV.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Grand Wagoneer has a standard 230-amp alternator. The Escalade ESV’s 220-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Grand Wagoneer has a standard 830-amp battery. The Escalade ESV’s 800-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 2 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Grand Wagoneer’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (468 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8. The Grand Wagoneer’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 227 more horsepower (647 vs. 420) and 160 lbs.-ft. more torque (620 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Grand Wagoneer turbo 6 cyl. is faster than the Cadillac Escalade ESV:

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Wagoneer running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Escalade ESV:

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Wagoneer REEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The Escalade ESV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 35.1 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Grand Wagoneer’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade ESV:

The Grand Wagoneer 4x4 handles at .75 G’s, while the Escalade ESV Sport 4WD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Grand Wagoneer 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Escalade ESV Premium Luxury 4WD (28.1 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Grand Wagoneer’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (40.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet). The Grand Wagoneer’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV w/24” Wheels’ (40.2 feet vs. 44.5 feet).

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

The Grand Wagoneer is 10.9 inches shorter than the Escalade ESV, making the Grand Wagoneer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Grand Wagoneer has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escalade ESV (179.2 vs. 170.4).

The Grand Wagoneer has 1.8 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room, 1 inch more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row headroom, 2.1 inches more third row hip room and 1.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Escalade ESV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Grand Wagoneer’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade ESV’s third row seats don’t recline.

Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac Escalade ESV is limited to 7500 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer 4x4 offers up to a 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Escalade ESV, the Grand Wagoneer Summit has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, foot pedal distance, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Grand Wagoneer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer outsold the Cadillac Escalade by 44% during 2024.