Compared: 2023 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
We find out how Jeep's newly reborn luxury SUV measures up against the full-sized Cadillac.
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On the heels of other recent automotive revivals like the Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender, Jeep has made quite the splash with the introduction of the 2023 Grand Wagoneer. This full-sized luxury SUV is perfectly suited for today's market, and it's a direct competitor to other 3-row, 7-seat people haulers like the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. Let's explore whether the Wagoneer lives up to its classic namesake, or if the Escalade proves why it’s been a staple of Cadillac's lineup for almost 25 years.
2023 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Price
Jeep has positioned the new Grand Wagoneer at the very top of its lineup's price range, with a decidedly luxurious starting price of about $89,000—well above the brand's more-affordable off-roaders. However, that base model does come standard with a 4x4 drivetrain and a 471 hp, 6.0L, V8 engine. The 510 hp, twin-turbo inline-six is standard on the upper-trim packages.
On the other hand, Cadillac lists the Escalade's base price at a slightly lower amount of about $83,000, but does provide a myriad of drivetrain add-ons that quickly raise the bottom line. The standard configuration is a 6.2L V8 powering the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive is available for about $3,000, and an additional about $2,000 will replace the 420 hp V8 with an efficient 277 hp turbo-diesel.
Jeep
2023 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Features
The two full-size luxury vehicles are packed with creature comforts, as you might expect for the better part of six figures. The Grand Wagoneer, for example, makes a point of touting the available built-in Amazon Fire TV entertainment package for the rear screens, along with optional ventilated rear seats, and a 3-panel sunroof (one panel larger than the Escalade).
The Cadillac, meanwhile, offers a more substantial optional speaker system, and boasts GM's Super Cruise driver-assistance technology. While the Grand Wagoneer does offer an optional active-driver assist, Super Cruise gives the Escalade fully hands-free driving capability, something the Jeep is unable to match.
The Escalade also wins in terms of cargo space, with the capability to fit a staggering 121 cu.-ft. behind the front seats. The Grand Wagoneer, by comparison, offers just 94 cu.-ft. total. That said, if you have even more to haul, the Jeep does feature a best-in-class towing capacity of up to 9,850 lbs, as opposed to the 7,700 lbs of the Cadillac.
Cadillac
2023 Cadillac Escalade vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Fuel Economy
Due to the sheer size of both vehicles, the fuel economy fails to impress. Both struggle with the gas-guzzling issues typical of full-sized SUVs, with the standard V8-equipped Jeep receiving a combined 15 MPG rating from the EPA and the standard Escalade only reaching a combined 16 mpg. However, the Escalade’s optional turbo-diesel engine does improve that figure to 23 mpg.
Overall, the Grand Wagoneer is an opulent successor to its ancestors from yesteryear, and holds its own against the popular luxury full-sizers of today. But the lower base pricing, greater cargo space, and forward-thinking tech make the flagship Cadillac compelling.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
