Performance
Winner: BMW
BMW vehicles have received better U.S. News performance ratings, on average, than Cadillac vehicles. However, the Cadillac CTS does achieve the highest performance score of either brand, with the BMW 5-Series closely following. The Cadillac CT6 and BMW 2-Series, 3-Series, and 4-Series also have high performance ratings.
On average, BMW’s SUVs perform much better than Cadillac’s. They offer a more connected and athletic driving experience coupled with robust acceleration. However, if you’re really looking for high performance from your SUVs, Tesla and Porsche SUVs give drivers access to more power and offer a sportier drive than BMW and Cadillac SUVs.
Cadillac offers the CT6 in a plug-in hybrid variant. It has an all-electric range of 31 miles and can get from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, which is good for a large car and on par with the quickness of the Genesis G90.
Interior
Winner: BMW
The average interior score among BMW vehicles is higher than the average interior score of Cadillac vehicles. The German automaker is known for its high-end interiors, while Cadillac has traditionally lagged behind its competition in upholstery offerings. Recently debuted Cadillac models have nicer cabins.
The BMW 7-Series, 5-Series, X1, X3, and 6-Series all have higher U.S. News interior scores than the highest interior score from Cadillac. Reviewers commonly point to the BMWs’ advanced infotainment technology and comfortable seats, as well as the SUVs’ spacious cargo areas.
The relatively new CT6 receives the highest U.S. News interior score among all Cadillacs. However, its touch-screen infotainment system is vexing to use and collects a frustrating number of fingerprints.
Price
Winner: Cadillac
Cadillac cars and SUVs cost slightly less, on average, than BMW vehicles. The average starting MSRP of a Cadillac car is about $1,000 less than the average starting MSRP of a BMW car.
The BMW X5 starts $18,000 higher than the Cadillac XT5. Options on the X5 move the price tag up over $100,000, nearly double the highest cost of the XT5.
There are no directly comparable Cadillac cars to the BMW 7-Series. The super luxury car is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and has a starting price of $83,100.
Reliability
Winner: BMW
BMW vehicles are slightly more reliable than Cadillacs. BMW cars and SUVs have an average U.S. News predicted reliability rating that’s about half a point higher than the Cadillac lineup’s. Every BMW vehicle evaluated by U.S. News has a reliability rating that is equal to or higher than the average score of the Cadillac lineup.
The X6 is considered the most reliable BMW vehicle, while the ATS and Escalade are at the top of Cadillac’s reliability ratings.
Porsche, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz offer more reliable SUVs than the Cadillac XT5. Lexus and Mercedes-Benz sell more reliable cars than both Cadillac and BMW.
Safety
Winner: BMW
The Cadillac ATS, BMW 2-Series, and BMW X1 received U.S. News’ top safety score – a 10 out of 10. On average, BMW vehicles score half a point higher than Cadillac vehicles in U.S. News ratings. The Cadillac Escalade is the least-safe vehicle among the two makes, scoring well below the rest of the vehicles.
Many of the top-rated models have the latest safety technologies, including front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and high beam assist.
Luxury Small Cars
Winner: BMW
Cadillac only has one entry into this category, the ATS, and while it ranks highly compared to many other luxury small cars in U.S. News evaluations, it doesn’t do as well as BMW’s offerings. In the category, BMW sells its 2, 3, and 4 Series, in addition to the i3 electric car.
The BMW 2, 3, and 4 Series all offer more refined performance than the ATS and far better interiors. The BMWs have infotainment systems that are easier to use and more modern than what is in the ATS, and generally more cargo space. All the BMWs, including the i3, have cramped rear seats.
BMW offers their luxury small cars in a variety of body styles (convertible, hatchback, sedan, and coupe), though not all styles are available on all vehicles. The ATS is available as either a coupe or sedan.
Cadillac does not offer a competitor to the i3.
Luxury Midsize Cars
Winner: BMW
The BMW 5 Series and the Cadillac CTS go head-to-head in this category, with the BMW 5 Series coming out on top. Both models come with a number of powertrain options, with the top Cadillac CTS-V trim offering the most exciting drive, and the base engine feeling rather weak. The 5 Series has more well-rounded engine offerings.
The CTS is not as well-appointed as the 5 Series. Its cabin is filled with a number of luxurious materials, but also questionable design choices like shiny surfaces, low-quality upholstery, and substandard carpeting. The 5 Series’ cabin features an elegant, modern design and is outfitted with faux or real leather, comfortable seats, and a sophisticated infotainment system. The CTS’ CUE infotainment system is quick to respond but isn’t as intuitive as the 5 Series’.
Luxury Large Cars
Winner: BMW
Cadillac and BMW both sell two luxury large cars: the 6 Series and 7 Series for BMW and the CT6 and XTS for Cadillac.
The Cadillac CT6 is better rated than the BMW 6 Series, but it doesn’t score as well as the ultra-plush (and ultra-expensive) BMW 7 Series. The Cadillac XTS isn’t as plush or athletic as most similarly sized luxury models, but it is significantly cheaper than the other cars in the class.
The Cadillac CT6 is a car that drives smaller than it is, has a plush cabin with plenty of space for adults in both rows, and is lower-priced than many similarly equipped vehicles in its class. The XTS is a comfortable cruiser offering spacious seating, a long list of standard features, and above-average safety scores.
The 7 Series is the top-scorer of this lot, but it better be considering its $83,000 price tag. The 7 Series offers exceptionally comfortable rear seats, tons of high-tech features, a compelling engine lineup, and surprisingly good fuel economy.
Luxury 2-Row SUVs
Winner: BMW
Most of BMW’s and Cadillac’s SUVs are two-row vehicles. Two BMWs, the X3 and X6, have higher scores than the Cadillac XT5. The BMW X4 doesn’t measure up to what is offered by its rivals.
The X3 is an appealing luxury compact SUV that has a powerful engine lineup, sporty handling, abundant cargo space, sufficient passenger room, and a cabin made of high-quality materials. The 2017 model was named the U.S. News Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families.
BMW’s X6 is an SUV that is focused more on performance than creature comforts. However, it does have luxurious appointments and comfortable front seats. It’s fun to drive but falls short when it comes to back-seat headroom and cargo space. The X6 has a higher price than many of the vehicles in its class.
The Cadillac XT5 is a comfortable, well-appointed SUV that has a lower starting price than many of its rivals. However, the lower price equates to a lower performance score thanks to dull handling and a lack of beefy engine options. The SUV comes in front- and all-wheel drive. It has a lot of pluses but isn’t a complete package like the X3.
Luxury 3-Row SUVs
Winner: BMW
The BMW X5 and the Cadillac Escalade offer three rows of seating, but they are very different vehicles. The X5 is a more well-rounded vehicle than the Escalade. The X5 comes with two rows of seating standard, and a third row is available. In the Escalade, a third row of seating is standard. Neither of the vehicles’ third rows is usable for adults.
It is the X5’s range of powerful engine options, comfortable seating, abundant cargo space, and agile handling that make the SUV an excellent choice for families. It comes in rear- or all-wheel drive, and a Wi-Fi hot spot is available.
The Escalade has many of the same luxury level features as the X5, a strong V8 engine, and decent fuel economy. However, its infotainment system isn’t the easiest to use.
The Winner Is …
BMW
BMW vehicles are more athletic. They have higher-end interiors filled with luxurious materials, plenty of amenities, and high-tech features. They also have high reliability scores.
If you prefer a cruiser capable of getting you from point A to point B in comfort, Cadillac’s vehicles may be more suited to your style. Some models have engine options that can compete with BMW’s sedans on power. Cadillacs also tend to be more budget-friendly.
Each brand offers unique vehicles that cannot directly compete in this head-to-head evaluation. Cadillac’s Escalade directly aligns with the Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Range Rover, and Infiniti QX80. All but the Navigator rank better in U.S. News overall ratings than the Escalade.
BMW’s i3 and i8 are electric vehicles. The i3 is a luxury small car that runs solely on electric power, unless a buyer purchases a range extender, which runs on gasoline. The i8 is a high-performance plug-in hybrid that has 15 miles of all-electric range.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Learn more about BMW and Cadillac by visiting their brand pages. Learn more about how each vehicle matches up against the competition using our new car rankings. When you’re ready to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase.
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Which Luxury Automaker Is Right for You?
Cadillac and BMW are both focused on making luxurious, attractive, high-performance vehicles. Their cars and SUVs are typically ranked near the top of their classes. So which dealership should you visit first?
BMW has a larger lineup than Cadillac. The German automaker sells numerous cars in multiple vehicle classes and ticks the boxes in nearly all SUV classifications. We’ve lined up the two automakers in many of these classes.
This slideshow will also give you an idea of which luxury carmaker performs best in U.S. News’ evaluation categories, including performance, interior, reliability, and safety.
Read on to find out which brand is best.