2027 Infiniti QX80 vs Cadillac Escalade: 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 2.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.7% vs 26.8%) and more available power (682 hp vs 450 hp). The QX80 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: QX80 0 pts · Escalade 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 QX80 | 2027 Escalade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $85,590 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 26.8% | 43.7% | Escalade |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 450 hp | 682 hp | Escalade |
| Max towing (1) | 8,500 lb | 8,100 lb | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 0 | 2.5 | Escalade |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — QX80 18 mpg vs Escalade 17 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Escalade — 43.7% vs 26.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — QX80 8,500 lb vs Escalade 8,100 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
- QX80: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Escalade: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: QX80 4, Escalade 5.
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 QX80 | 2027 Escalade | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $85,590 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $112,990 | — |
| Horsepower | 450 hp | 420–682 hp |
| Max torque | 516 lb-ft | 653 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 17–18 mpg | 13–17 mpg |
| Max towing | 8,500 lb | 8,100 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 8 | — / 8 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) QX80 lists for a median $28,826 — 26.8% of today's median new price of $107,585. A 5-year-old (2021) Escalade lists for a median $54,945 — 43.7% of today's median new price of $125,779.
Shop both
- See 4,565 new 2027 INFINITI QX80s for sale →Median listed price $96,215 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 2,631 new 2027 Cadillac Escalades for sale →Median listed price $130,081 · 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 Infiniti QX80
More on the Cadillac Escalade
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the QX80 better than the Escalade?
On our data, no — the Escalade comes out ahead. Our pick: the Escalade — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (43.7% vs 26.8%) and more available power (682 hp vs 450 hp). The QX80 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 QX80 or the Escalade?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 QX80 and 5 for the Escalade.
Which holds its value better, the QX80 or the Escalade?
The Escalade: a 5-year-old example lists for 43.7% 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 QX80 or the Escalade?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the QX80 or the Escalade?
It's a wash: 18 mpg vs 17 mpg best EPA combined.
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 Infiniti QX80 vs Cadillac Escalade: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/infiniti-qx80-vs-cadillac-escalade, updated November 8, 2026.