2027 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Infiniti QX80: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Escalade ESV — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (39.5% vs 26.8%) and more available power (682 hp vs 450 hp). Choose the QX80 if you tow (8,500 lb vs 8,000 lb max).
Scorecard: Escalade ESV 2.5 pts · QX80 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Escalade ESV | 2027 QX80 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $85,590 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 39.5% | 26.8% | Escalade ESV |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | — | 18 mpg | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 682 hp | 450 hp | Escalade ESV |
| Max towing (1) | 8,000 lb | 8,500 lb | QX80 |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 7 | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 4 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1 | Escalade ESV |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Escalade ESV — 39.5% vs 26.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the QX80 — 8,500 lb vs 8,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Escalade ESV: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- QX80: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Escalade ESV 5, QX80 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: QX80 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Escalade ESV | 2027 QX80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $85,590 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $112,990 |
| Horsepower | 420–682 hp | 450 hp |
| Max torque | 653 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | — | 17–18 mpg |
| Max towing | 8,000 lb | 8,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | 7 / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Escalade ESV lists for a median $50,710 — 39.5% of today's median new price of $128,505. A 5-year-old (2021) QX80 lists for a median $28,826 — 26.8% of today's median new price of $107,585.
Shop both
- See 1,340 new 2027 Cadillac Escalade ESVs for sale →Median listed price $133,340 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 4,565 new 2027 INFINITI QX80s for sale →Median listed price $96,215 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Cadillac Escalade ESV
More on the Infiniti QX80
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Escalade ESV better than the QX80?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Escalade ESV — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (39.5% vs 26.8%) and more available power (682 hp vs 450 hp). Choose the QX80 if you tow (8,500 lb vs 8,000 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the Escalade ESV or the QX80?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Escalade ESV and 4 for the QX80.
Which holds its value better, the Escalade ESV or the QX80?
The Escalade ESV: a 5-year-old example lists for 39.5% of the new price, versus 26.8% for the QX80, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Escalade ESV or the QX80?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Escalade ESV or the QX80?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Infiniti QX80: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/cadillac-escalade-esv-vs-infiniti-qx80, updated November 8, 2026.