2021 Escalade vs. X7

LittleJoe · 11-17-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7summits

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG Prez

Part of the problem is you guys are comparing to older generation GM vehicles. All the 2021 have been completely redesigned, they have independent rear suspension for the first time and they are "significantly" bigger than the X7 even the standard wheelbase tahoe/yukon/escalade is huge compared to the X7 and the extended ones have an insane amount of room for 7-8 adults and all their luggage for a road trip. I couldn't fit 5 people and luggage in the X7 this past summer. So for me it makes sense, I daily an M8 gran coupe, so it really is just a family people hauler and the X7 falls short in that category if the people actually have "stuff" to bring with them

Spot on. Everyone is comparing the older versions.

I have had a X7 and I currently have the new Escalade. The new Escalade is an incredible vehicle and is a universe apart from the older version.

The 2021 Escalade is not available in my area. Where did you find one?

Post some pics of the exterior and the interior.

Crimsonboz · 11-17-2020, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7summits

Spot on. Everyone is comparing the older versions.

I have had a X7 and I currently have the new Escalade. The new Escalade is an incredible vehicle and is a universe apart from the older version.

My issue with the new Escalade is I thought it was louder inside and road a little rougher.

Also some cheap looking buttons. That’s minor the above isn’t for me.

themnmd · 11-17-2020, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG Prez

If you want 6 adults in something you really don't have much of a choice. It's either the big body truck from GM or Ford or a Minivan (ughh). The X7 drives better without a doubt, but if it doesn't serve it's purpose (for me) it doesn't make sense. So I have a 2021 ESV on order and it will be replacing my 2020 X7 m50i. I also hate the fact that the rear captains don't fold in the X7 it's one of the stupidest designs I have ever experienced in a vehicle like this.

A minivan

?

aas5 · 11-17-2020, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG Prez

If you want 6 adults in something you really don't have much of a choice. It's either the big body truck from GM or Ford or a Minivan (ughh). The X7 drives better without a doubt, but if it doesn't serve it's purpose (for me) it doesn't make sense. So I have a 2021 ESV on order and it will be replacing my 2020 X7 m50i. I also hate the fact that the rear captains don't fold in the X7 it's one of the stupidest designs I have ever experienced in a vehicle like this.

The captain chairs are so comfortable that I don't care they don't fold flat.

LittleJoe · 11-18-2020, 06:59 AM

7summits, where are the pictures of the 2021 Escalade Sport you bought over the summer?

Crimsonboz · 11-18-2020, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

7summits, where are the pictures of the 2021 Escalade Sport you bought over the summer?

Yep need to see that.

LittleJoe · 11-18-2020, 12:04 PM

One thing the 2021 Escalade got right IMO are the manual folding second row captains seats. I never understood why BMW and other manufacturers went with power folding seats. They should be quick and easy to fold out of the way. I hope BMW rethinks their approach and does away with power folding seats that are way too slow.

aas5 · 11-18-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

One thing the 2021 Escalade got right IMO are the manual folding second row captains seats. I never understood why BMW and other manufacturers went with power folding seats. They should be quick and easy to fold out of the way. I hope BMW rethinks their approach and does away with power folding seats that are way too slow.

I am ok with the power chairs and like that my kids can use them without having to pull or push strongly on the seats. There should be a way to make them move faster.

CruiseControl · 11-18-2020, 06:30 PM

Some better pics of the Escalade, compared to the GLS.

I like the interior but once they pan to the exterior from any angle they lose me.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/c...s-151702.html#

ComingInHot · 11-18-2020, 07:24 PM

I only rent vehicles like the Suburban/Escalade for the off occasion I have more people and lots of luggage... usually I'm on vacation far from home. They all drive like boats.

To me it's simple, if more space is the driving factor then the Escalade would not disappoint in that respect. Anything else get the X7...and get the M50i version if you like smiling a lot

Jthompson · 11-18-2020, 08:17 PM

We have a 2019 X7 and a 2021 ESV Platinum Sport. I like both SUVs for different reasons. The X7 is definitely more luxurious. The ride is better, it's quieter, the materials and fit and finish are better and there are many more luxury features.

The bad thing about the X7 is size. We have two kids and I find the X7 to be too small as an every day family hauler. We regularly carry our kids friends and with 6 people in the X7 there's no cargo space. The seating is also cramped if full size adults are in the front and second rows. There's a general lack of storage, especially in the front seats.

The Escalade has size on it's side. We enjoy the extra room to stretch out and never lack space for hauling people and stuff. The new Escalade is much improved over the former (we had a 2017 ESV Platinum prior). The 21 has a much smoother ride and a quieter interior. The transmission is much improved. Materials are better but the Escalade lacks a lot of luxury features.

There's only three zones for climate control - the X7 offers 5. There are no heated arm rests. The second row has manual adjustments as opposed to power. The ambient lighting is minimal and uninspired. There are no power window shades on offer and the soft closing doors don't work as well as those in the X7. At the end of the day it's evident that Cadillac focused on building a better Escalade and not a class leading vehicle.

It would be great if there was a true full size luxury SUV. The Escalade is missing too many features for the price and the X7 is too small.

If I had to chose one, it would be the Escalade for it's size and practicality.

aas5 · 11-19-2020, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jthompson

We have a 2019 X7 and a 2021 ESV Platinum Sport. I like both SUVs for different reasons. The X7 is definitely more luxurious. The ride is better, it's quieter, the materials and fit and finish are better and there are many more luxury features.

The bad thing about the X7 is size. We have two kids and I find the X7 to be too small as an every day family hauler. We regularly carry our kids friends and with 6 people in the X7 there's no cargo space. The seating is also cramped if full size adults are in the front and second rows. There's a general lack of storage, especially in the front seats.

The Escalade has size on it's side. We enjoy the extra room to stretch out and never lack space for hauling people and stuff. The new Escalade is much improved over the former (we had a 2017 ESV Platinum prior). The 21 has a much smoother ride and a quieter interior. The transmission is much improved. Materials are better but the Escalade lacks a lot of luxury features.

There's only three zones for climate control - the X7 offers 5. There are no heated arm rests. The second row has manual adjustments as opposed to power. The ambient lighting is minimal and uninspired. There are no power window shades on offer and the soft closing doors don't work as well as those in the X7. At the end of the day it's evident that Cadillac focused on building a better Escalade and not a class leading vehicle.

It would be great if there was a true full size luxury SUV. The Escalade is missing too many features for the price and the X7 is too small.

If I had to chose one, it would be the Escalade for it's size and practicality.

Very helpful comparison. We only have the X7 but one area that needs to improve is the cargo space as it's tiny with the third row seats up.

Looking at the pictures, there is no way Cadillac's skinny captain's chairs are as comfortable as BMW's.

ppagiga · 12-12-2020, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jthompson

We have a 2019 X7 and a 2021 ESV Platinum Sport. I like both SUVs for different reasons. The X7 is definitely more luxurious. The ride is better, it's quieter, the materials and fit and finish are better and there are many more luxury features.

The bad thing about the X7 is size. We have two kids and I find the X7 to be too small as an every day family hauler. We regularly carry our kids friends and with 6 people in the X7 there's no cargo space. The seating is also cramped if full size adults are in the front and second rows. There's a general lack of storage, especially in the front seats.

The Escalade has size on it's side. We enjoy the extra room to stretch out and never lack space for hauling people and stuff. The new Escalade is much improved over the former (we had a 2017 ESV Platinum prior). The 21 has a much smoother ride and a quieter interior. The transmission is much improved. Materials are better but the Escalade lacks a lot of luxury features.

There's only three zones for climate control - the X7 offers 5. There are no heated arm rests. The second row has manual adjustments as opposed to power. The ambient lighting is minimal and uninspired. There are no power window shades on offer and the soft closing doors don't work as well as those in the X7. At the end of the day it's evident that Cadillac focused on building a better Escalade and not a class leading vehicle.

It would be great if there was a true full size luxury SUV. The Escalade is missing too many features for the price and the X7 is too small.

If I had to chose one, it would be the Escalade for it's size and practicality.

thanks, we're probably getting a standard wheelbase escalade for the added room. cadillac has done a great job this gen, particularly with packaging. that new rear axle creates a great third row in either short or ESV trim, unlike generations past.

the x7 quickly shrinks as kids get bigger, and the seat position jenga needed to optimize second and third row legroom gets more difficult. there's only so much you can do when the vehicle has a 5.5" deficit to the GLS and Caddy (normal trim) in combined second and third row legroom. also, while front legroom x7 and gls roughly identical, caddy has 4.5" more. shoulder room a lot bigger in caddy (5-6" front to back, i think). just a significantly bigger car inside, and out (the standard wheelbase caddy is a good 8-9" longer than x7 fwiw, couple inches wider, half a foot taller.)

i like the caddy in your trim a lot, and also the sport. will pull trigger as the world returns to something kind of resembling normal late this year, but keep the x7. as long as bmw makes one, i'll own one. been exceedingly happy with it.

ppagiga · 12-12-2020, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

7summits, where are the pictures of the 2021 Escalade Sport you bought over the summer?

i was on the fence about this vehicle but came around when i saw the sport trim. the abundance of chrome has always been somewhat of a deterrent for me - the sport dials this down quite a bit. have seen quite a few examples on dealer lots, go check them out sometime.

no strong opinion of reliability vs bmw. fwiw, my x7 has been perfect and took delivery right away back in spring 19. zero problems outside of early software glitches i didnt care about. caddy can't be worse than land rovers that's for sure, and i've driven those for 15 years. the list of problems i've experienced with them is truly shocking. so i'm conditioned to expect the worst

jcarlilesiu · 12-12-2020, 07:35 AM

After engine and transmission problems on a Denali xL with only 65K miles no thanks.

The black door trim pieces kept flying off the doors under warranty. Went through like 6 of them. No big deal until the bumper-to- bumper warranty expired and then the dealer wanted $200 a piece... and they kept flying off. Something about the design. The refinement just isn't there for me.

FloridaM5 · 12-12-2020, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcarlilesiu

After engine and transmission problems on a Denali xL with only 65K miles no thanks.

The black door trim pieces kept flying off the doors under warranty. Went through like 6 of them. No big deal until the bumper-to- bumper warranty expired and then the dealer wanted $200 a piece... and they kept flying off. Something about the design. The refinement just isn't there for me.

Been there as well. Hopefully the newest version of the platform will have better quality. I've had several Denalis over the years; never an Escalade, as I didn't see the value. I always kept them 18 months at the most...after that, the truck always felt 10 years old. This time, however, I'd be down to try the Escalade...looks incredible inside and out.

Saejin · 12-12-2020, 05:32 PM

Our next vehicle is an 18ft RV, preferably in the Mercedes Benz platform. The wife and I just need some room to stretch out. Haha.

We considered the Escalade, but it’s just too huuuuuuge. They made some great updates for 2021. In the end the X7 was the perfect package.

When I grew up I remember cramming into a Toyota Tercel and Ford Escort for cross country road trips. Our kids are so lucky now or should I say spoiled.

Red_Ninja · 12-13-2020, 09:59 AM