2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, 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 15 inches, adding to its already impressive size. This SUV was designed for show, appealing to a diverse range of drivers, from pop musicians to large families. Despite its massive size, the Escalade managed to look athletic and trim, thanks to 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 were shared with less expensive GM vehicles, which detracted from the overall luxury experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a design that emphasized its broad-shouldered proportions. It was slightly lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a stretched wheelbase. The CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition standing out for its active-lifestyle image, featuring all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior was pleasing, with a well-designed infotainment screen and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspirations to move upscale were still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for towing up to 8,200 pounds on the rear-wheel drive model. However, the Escalade felt heavy in passing situations, and the 10-speed automatic transmission, while responsive, didn't enhance the driving experience in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration issues with a supercharged Corvette V8 engine, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac also offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, which provided better fuel economy and smooth torque delivery. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, but its magnetic dampers and air suspension made it more maneuverable than many large SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. The CX-50 was a good daily driver, but it didn't offer the same sporty driving dynamics as the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, while the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an incredibly spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The interior was designed for comfort, with generous headroom and legroom in every row. The controls were user-friendly, and features like a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom. It offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While the CX-50 trailed some competitors in cargo space, it provided a sensible layout and adequate storage. The available power liftgate improved cargo-area access, but the cargo area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior featured a substantial shifter and Mazda's rotary infotainment controller, maintaining a practical design.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was packed with advanced technology, including a massive OLED screen array across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed with navigation overlays, enhancing the driver's field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available, using infrared eye-tracking cameras for safety. The Escalade also featured night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, but it was suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

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

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. The NHTSA had not published complete safety ratings for the 2024 model. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.