2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented a bold step for Mazda into the luxury SUV market. It borrowed the elegant design language from its smaller siblings, the CX-30 and CX-5, and expanded it into a larger, more imposing form. With a length exceeding 200 inches, the CX-90 featured a commanding presence with its large grille, wide-set front end, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. The tasteful chrome trim added a touch of elegance, making it a standout in its class. Inside, the CX-90 offered a luxurious experience, especially in the top-tier trims, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. The interior design was sophisticated, rivaling luxury brands like BMW, but at a more accessible price point.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued its legacy as a symbol of old-school Cadillac luxury, updated with modern touches. The exterior design featured a new front end that aligned it with Cadillac's EV lineup, including large vertical headlights and 24-inch wheels. The Escalade maintained its iconic tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. Inside, Cadillac focused on differentiating the Escalade from its GM siblings with a screen-centric interior, highlighted by a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The interior offered a mix of luxury materials, including real leather and curated motifs, providing a high-end feel. The Escalade's design emphasized size and presence, appealing to those seeking a traditional luxury SUV experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo S variant offered an impressive 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile cornering capabilities, reminiscent of Mazda's sporty heritage. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter engine with a 17.8-kWh battery, producing 323 horsepower and offering a 26-mile all-electric range.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, meanwhile, dropped its diesel option, focusing on a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade-V variant boasted a supercharged V8 with 682 horsepower. All models used a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts and efficient highway cruising. The Escalade offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with optional four-wheel drive and a performance-oriented all-wheel drive for the Escalade-V. Despite its power, the Escalade's handling was less refined compared to luxury competitors, and its brakes lacked confidence without the optional Brembo upgrade.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in lower trims and featuring captain's chairs in mid-level trims. The Turbo S models provided a two-seat third row, enhancing cargo space slightly. Total cargo capacity reached 75.2 cubic feet with the two-seater third row. While the CX-90 improved on the CX-9's space, it still lagged behind competitors like the Honda Pilot in capacity. However, clever storage solutions and high-quality materials made the interior comfortable and practical.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came in standard and long-wheelbase versions, with the ESV model offering increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The standard model provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 121 cubic feet with seats folded. The ESV further increased these figures, making it a leader in cargo capacity. The Escalade's towing capacity reached 8,100 pounds, meeting segment expectations. Despite its size, the Escalade offered extensive interior space and comfort, with features like power-folding seats and a power liftgate for convenience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, using a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition for driver settings and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these systems.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade embraced high-tech features with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, incorporating digital instruments and infotainment controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 19-speaker AKG audio system. Cadillac's interface was user-friendly, with haptic feedback and a mix of touchscreens and physical controls. The Escalade also offered advanced options like an augmented-reality head-up display and night vision, enhancing its tech appeal.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came equipped with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The top-spec model added cruising and traffic support, providing a hands-on driver assistance experience. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on its predecessor's accolades.

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, and Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on mapped roads. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the Escalade's safety features were comprehensive and advanced.