2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was available in three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, the 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. With trim levels ranging from Select to Premium Plus, the pricing spanned from $39,575 to $59,480. Our test vehicle, a 3.3 Turbo with Premium Plus trim and Soul Red paint, had an MSRP of $51,450. The CX-90's exterior boasted lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. Its sculptural sheet metal and athletic design contributed to its sophisticated look. Inside, the CX-90 featured an upscale interior with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. Ergonomic issues, such as a confusing electronic shifter and non-touchscreen infotainment, were noted, but overall, the CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the largest and most expensive Cadillac, continued to embody old-school luxury. The updated design further distinguished it from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The Escalade's new front end brought it stylistically closer to Cadillac's EVs, with large vertical headlights and tall taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. Available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV body styles, the Escalade offered various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac focused on hiding its shared platform, featuring a screen-centric interior with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The Escalade's interior offered luxurious materials and curated motifs, with our test car's Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim impressively finished. Despite its shared platform, the Escalade's interior felt distinct and upscale.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's 3.3 Turbo drivetrain, while powerful, lacked refinement. The turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, with the Turbo S variant delivering up to 340 hp with premium gas. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-wheel bias for improved dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, especially when cold. The CX-90's ride and handling were impressive, but noise and impact harshness detracted from the experience. Despite these flaws, the CX-90's suspension provided a dynamic driving experience, particularly in Normal mode.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V featured a supercharged V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models had a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient power delivery. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive optional, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system. Magnetic Ride Control damping was standard on most trims, but the Escalade's body-on-frame construction limited its handling compared to unibody rivals. The V8 provided strong acceleration, but braking performance was less confidence-inspiring. The optional Performance Upgrade Package, including Brembo brakes, was recommended for improved stopping power.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, despite its black color, struggled to cool occupants quickly, with the three-zone climate control system proving inadequate. The Premium Plus trim featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, front-seat ventilation was as ineffective as the air conditioning. The panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating, though rear-facing child seats could be a tight fit. The third row was best suited for children, with limited space for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered ample interior space, with the long-wheelbase ESV providing additional cargo space and third-row legroom. Seating for up to eight was available, with second-row captain's chairs as an option. The Escalade boasted the most first-row headroom in its class, though second and third-row headroom was less competitive. Cargo space was generous, with the standard model offering 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 72.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet behind the front seats. The ESV model further increased cargo capacity. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, though it lacked some of the towing features offered by rivals.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, with a traditional gauge cluster and display layout. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The voice recognition system was subpar, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with helpful data, including blind-spot alerts.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display incorporating a digital instrument cluster, infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-use icons and a traditional steering wheel. The optional Executive Second Row Package added rear-seat screens, a center console with controls, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of the few midsize SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the PHEV model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, though some features, like speed reduction, were irritating.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations, and Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Escalade's safety features were comprehensive, though some handoffs to manual control were abrupt.