Land Rover Defender vs Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $350 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Cadillac Escalade leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
2015–2026
Cadillac Escalade
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 46 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Land Rover Defender | Cadillac Escalade |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 20 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 18 mpg | 21 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 23 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,800 | $3,450 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 444 g/mi | 437 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; Stop-Start |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd, Automatic 8-spd |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium, Diesel, Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2020–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 54 | 46 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Defender vs Escalade: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Land Rover Defender or the Cadillac Escalade?
The Cadillac Escalade is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 23 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $350 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Cadillac Escalade runs about $3,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,800 for the Land Rover Defender — a difference of roughly $350 per year.
What engines do the Defender and Escalade offer?
Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Cadillac Escalade: SIDI, 3.0, SIDI; Stop-Start.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Land Rover Defender and the Cadillac Escalade as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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