Compare the2025 Jeep Wagoneer LVS 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The Wagoneer L 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 Wagoneer L 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 Wagoneer L 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, available all wheel drive, night vision systems, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Jeep Wagoneer L achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Escalade ESV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Wagoneer L for 2 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 (up to 2 visits). 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 Wagoneer L’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Wagoneer L 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 Wagoneer L has a standard 240-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 Wagoneer L has a standard 830-amp battery (900 Grand). The Escalade ESV’s 800-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Jeep higher than Cadillac.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Jeep higher than Cadillac.

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 Wagoneer L’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 L’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 120 more horsepower (540 vs. 420) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (521 vs. 460) than the Escalade ESV’s 6.2 V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Wagoneer L gets better mileage than the Escalade ESV:

The Wagoneer L has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escalade ESV (30.5 vs. 28.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Grand Wagoneer L 4x4 handles at .74 G’s, while the Escalade ESV Sport 4WD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Wagoneer L’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV’s (42.2 feet vs. 43.3 feet). The Wagoneer L’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Escalade ESV w/24” Wheels’ (42.2 feet vs. 44.5 feet).

The Wagoneer L has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escalade ESV (179.3 vs. 170.4).

The Wagoneer L has 1.7 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, .9 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 Wagoneer L’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escalade ESV’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Wagoneer L’s cargo area provides more volume than the Escalade ESV.

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Escalade ESV, the Wagoneer L Grand offers an optional 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 Wagoneer L to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escalade ESV doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wagoneer L first among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Escalade ESV was rated second in its category.

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