2027 Cadillac Escalade vs Cadillac Escalade ESV: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Escalade — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.7% vs 39.5%). The Escalade ESV doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Escalade 1.5 pts · Escalade ESV 0 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Escalade | 2027 Escalade ESV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 43.7% | 39.5% | Escalade |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 17 mpg | — | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 682 hp | 682 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 8,100 lb | 8,000 lb | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 0 | Escalade |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Escalade — 43.7% vs 39.5% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Escalade 8,100 lb vs Escalade ESV 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: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Escalade ESV: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Escalade 5, Escalade ESV 5.
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 | 2027 Escalade ESV | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 420–682 hp | 420–682 hp |
| Max torque | 653 lb-ft | 653 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 13–17 mpg | — |
| Max towing | 8,100 lb | 8,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Escalade lists for a median $54,945 — 43.7% of today's median new price of $125,779. A 5-year-old (2021) Escalade ESV lists for a median $50,710 — 39.5% of today's median new price of $128,505.
Shop both
- See 2,631 new 2027 Cadillac Escalades for sale →Median listed price $130,081 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 1,340 new 2027 Cadillac Escalade ESVs for sale →Median listed price $133,340 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Cadillac Escalade
More on the Cadillac Escalade ESV
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Escalade better than the Escalade ESV?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Escalade — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.7% vs 39.5%). The Escalade ESV doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Escalade or the Escalade ESV?
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 and 5 for the Escalade ESV.
Which holds its value better, the Escalade or the Escalade ESV?
The Escalade: a 5-year-old example lists for 43.7% of the new price, versus 39.5% for the Escalade ESV, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Escalade or the Escalade ESV?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Escalade or the Escalade ESV?
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 vs Cadillac Escalade ESV: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/cadillac-escalade-vs-cadillac-escalade-esv, updated November 8, 2026.