Compare the2026 Mercedes EQS SUVVS 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes EQS SUV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac Escalade IQ doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The EQS SUV has a standard Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The EQS SUV has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the EQS SUV and the Escalade IQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The EQS SUV has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Escalade IQ doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the EQS SUV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade IQ:

The EQS SUV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escalade IQ’s 50 series tires. The EQS SUV’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Escalade IQ’s optional 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQS SUV can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The EQS SUV’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The EQS SUV handles at .86 G’s, while the Escalade IQ Sport pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The EQS SUV executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Escalade IQ Sport (26 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Maybach EQS 680’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Escalade IQ’s (36 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Mercedes EQS SUV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 2450 to 2700 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

The EQS SUV is 1 foot, 10.5 inches shorter than the Escalade IQ, making the EQS SUV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EQS SUV is 8.3 inches shorter in height than the Escalade IQ, making the EQS SUV much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the EQS SUV to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Cadillac doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Escalade IQ.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the EQS SUV to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the EQS SUV Maybach has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The EQS SUV has standard heated front and middle row seats and optional heated third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Cadillac doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Escalade IQ.