2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence on the road, standing nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The Escalade ESV variant extended the wheelbase by an additional 15 inches, offering even more space. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL siblings, was designed for show, making a statement wherever it went. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality materials, although some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from the overall luxury experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed faux ruggedness for clean, car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. The Durango's slim design, forward-leaning headlights, and distinctive "racetrack" taillights gave it a unique look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle yet distinctive styling cues, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a comfortable and well-appointed space, with materials suited to various trim levels. The Durango Citadel and SRT models added luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat test car boasted bold red leather upholstery.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a pleasant driving experience, though its standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, didn't deliver the acceleration its muscle-car sound suggested. It was suitable for gentle cruising, with a combined fuel economy of 16 mpg in the standard length with optional 4WD. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration concerns with a supercharged Corvette V8 engine, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided a smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD. The Escalade's magnetic dampers and air suspension enhanced maneuverability, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat variant took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Durango's adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made it a thrilling ride, though its size made it somewhat awkward on twisty roads.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV variant provided even more space, with 143 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The interior featured simple and intuitive controls, with a smart touchscreen interface and multiple gauge layouts. An optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience, though the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench. The Citadel and SRT models featured second-row captain's chairs. While the Durango's interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, its cargo capacity was less than some rivals, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in small-item storage, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. It also had impressive towing capabilities, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured cutting-edge technology, including a vast array of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear displays. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed of the road, overlaying directional arrows and street names. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered the best hands-free highway driving system, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with streaming capabilities.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with added personality for SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance information, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with a lower rating for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It featured standard forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional safety features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results from the IIHS, with top "Good" marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel.