2024 Cadillac Escalade

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is our top-rated big luxury SUV and it's not hard to see why. Its opulent interior overflows with luxury details and comfort, from its cosseting seats and soft, whisper-quiet ride to its massive infotainment widescreen and sophisticated voice controls. Its powerful V8 engine also never struggles to move its sizable mass. The Escalade is slightly rougher around some edges, but its larger cabin space, stronger towing capacity and helpful Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system give it some advantages.

The Navigator, the Escalade's oldest rival, actually launched a year before the Escalade debuted. While the Escalade eventually captured more of the mainstream culture's imagination, both SUVs have remained competitive throughout a nearly 25-year history. Today, the Navigator's slight edge in towing and interior design is slight enough that most buyers lean toward personal brand preference or the better price.

The Escalade's size and length can make for tricky maneuvering, which might boost the appeal of the BMW X7 for some shoppers. While the X7 can't match the Escalade's interior or cargo space, it seats seven and generates plenty of power from its six-cylinder engine or available V8. It's the sportier choice, though the Escalade V is properly muscular in its own right.