Cadillac Escalade vs Dodge Durango
The Cadillac Escalade is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Dodge Durango, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Cadillac Escalade leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Cadillac Escalade
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 46 configurations
2015–2027
Dodge Durango
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 65 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Cadillac Escalade | Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 23 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 21 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,450 | $2,950 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 437 g/mi | 414 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; Stop-Start | 6.4, 6.2, 5.7, 3.6 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic 8-spd | Automatic 8-spd |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Diesel, Regular | Premium, Midgrade, Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 46 | 65 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Escalade vs Durango: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Cadillac Escalade or the Dodge Durango?
The Cadillac Escalade is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Dodge Durango, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Dodge Durango runs about $2,950 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,450 for the Cadillac Escalade — a difference of roughly $500 per year.
What engines do the Escalade and Durango offer?
Cadillac Escalade: SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; Stop-Start. Dodge Durango: 6.4, 6.2, 5.7, 3.6.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Cadillac Escalade and the Dodge Durango as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: cadillac-escalade-vs-dodge-durango