The Cadillac Escalade is the best of all SUVs, even the Chevy Suburban. The Escalade is the very definition of elegance and sophistication in a large SUV, while the Chevy Suburban is just the average, everyday driver. However, that being said, there are quite a few ways that the Escalade and the Suburban are pretty similar; they are both GM vehicles, after all. Ultimately, though, it comes down to exactly what you’d probably expect: when you choose the Cadillac Escalade, you’re getting incredible power, impeccable refinement, and unbeatable luxury. If we take a moment to look at the 2020 Cadillac Escalade vs 2020 Chevy Suburban, then it all becomes quite clear.
In terms of power, both of these vehicles have the same impressive engine available – but it’s the standard engine on every version of the Escalade and available only on the highest trim of the Suburban. While the Suburban can technically fit more passengers than the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, that’s only because the Escalade is dedicated to refined comfort and luxury rather than piling you all in like sardines. And though there are certainly some great features to be had in the 2020 Chevy Suburban, you simply can’t beat the level of refinement and sophistication that Cadillac brings to the table. So let’s take a closer look to see just what the 2020 Escalade has to offer compared to the 2020 Chevy Suburban.
Engines and Performance
To get things started, we should take a look at the engines in these two vehicles to see how they compare. Now, the engine might not be quite as important for people who are looking at a couple of SUVs, but it still matters. In fact, given the large size of these two vehicles, it is safe to say that the engine is just as important here as it would be if we were looking at a Camaro or Corvette.
The 2020 Cadillac Escalade has one engine on offer, and it’s quite impressive. No matter which trim you choose, you get a 6.2L V8 engine that delivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Escalade comes with two-wheel drive (2WD) standard, but you can choose four-wheel drive (4WD) if you prefer, which is an option for any of the four trims on the Escalade.
This beauty has magnetic ride control that automatically adjusts the suspension for changing road conditions to give you the smoothest ride possible, and when properly equipped, you can get up to 8,300 lbs of maximum towing capacity. In other words, every model of the 2020 Cadillac Escalade is an absolute joy to drive and gives you the best possible experience behind the wheel.
Now, looking at the 2020 Chevy Suburban, one thing jumps out: there are two engines available compared to the one you get on the Cadillac. While normally more options are always a good thing, here we have a situation where it ends up holding you back. The standard engine on the Suburban is a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine that offers up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. That’s fine and certainly makes for a fun drive, but it’s weaker than what you get in the Escalade, and it comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
You can get the powerful and impressive 6.2L V8 engine that comes standard on the 2020 Cadillac Escalade on the 2020 Chevy Suburban, but it’s not standard. In fact, it’s only available with the highest trim of the Suburban, the Premier, and even then, it’s still not standard, only optional. That being said, it comes with the 10-speed automatic, giving you a driving experience closer to what you find in the Escalade – but by the time you’re paying for the Suburban Premier with this engine, you might as well choose the Cadillac instead.
Interior Comfort and Luxury
The power of the Escalade is impressive, but everyone knows that Cadillac is all about luxury. As soon as you look at the interior of the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, this point becomes even clearer. It starts with 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats, with 4-way lumbar control, featuring independently heated seat cushions and seatbacks. The driver’s seat has a memory feature that is perfect for multiple drivers, and the second-row seats are also heated.
Of course, those are only the standard features; there are 18-way power-adjustable front seats available, along with numerous fine details throughout the interior. If you look at the Platinum trim, you get premium Semi-Aniline leather seating for the front two rows and Mulan leather for the third row of seats. The Platinum also features a leather-wrapped instrument panel, console, and upper door trim to go with the standard leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with mounted controls. Combine that with tri-zone automatic climate control and other fine details throughout, and you have exquisite seating and comfort for up to eight passengers.
Looking at the 2020 Chevy Suburban, there’s plenty of great comfort and luxury details to be seen, but they simply don’t match what the Escalade has to offer, which is no surprise. The standard trim of the Suburban, for example, features cloth seating with a 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat and 10-way power driver seat. When you look at higher trims, you can get leather-appointed seating, but it’s never as adjustable as what the 2020 Cadillac Escalade has.
Some models of the Suburban can seat up to nine people, thanks to a front-row split-bench seat, but most have seating for eight just like the Cadillac. Overall, the interior is great, but still, the highest trim Suburban does not even come close to the luxury offered in the Escalade.
Technology
Luxury and comfort are great, but we’re looking at 2020 models here, so we expect some impressive technology too – and the Cadillac Escalade doesn’t let us down. You get an 8-inch Infotainment display with Navigation, active noise cancellation, and a 16-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system all standard. Looking at the Platinum trim, you’ll find a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-Ray player and 9-inch display – and don’t worry, it comes with wireless headphones.
There’s a 12-inch digital driver information center that you can personalize, which is standard on every 2020 Cadillac Escalade. Power-adjustable pedals let you set the accelerator and brake to be more responsive and comfortable for how you personally drive, while adaptive cruise control makes it easy to hit the open road and enjoy the drive. There’s a wireless charging pad that comes standard, and the Platinum trim features a head-up display that projects vehicle information for you onto the lower portion of the windshield.
Although the 2020 Chevy Suburban has some great technology available, it comes up short compared to the incredible Cadillac Escalade. The Suburban Premier, its highest trim, features a 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system, which sounds impressive, but this is fewer speakers than what you get standard in the Escalade. You’ll find a 4-inch driver information center in the Suburban Premier, though a more impressive 8-inch system is available.
Other great tech features like a wireless charging pad are standard on the Suburban Premier but not all models, while a head-up display is available for the Premier but not standard. Overall, you can get some good technology features inside the 2020 Chevy Suburban, especially if you look at the Premier trim and some available options. Still, it can’t compete with what the 2020 Cadillac Escalade has to offer.
The Obvious Answer: Cadillac Escalade
If it is not evident already, the Escalade is far superior to its Suburban competitor. It has more to offer in terms of performance and luxury right from the get-go, while the Suburban needs endless upgrades to get close to those offerings. And, once you’re at the high price point of the Suburban Premier, you could pay the same or less for an entry-level Escalade that has more to offer. With all of that, it is pretty obvious: The Escalade is superior.
