The Cadillac Escalade V Drag Races The Mercedes-AMG G63 and the Range Rover P530

The Cadillac Escalade V is all about excess and unlike many performance SUVs, it has enough grunt to make it stand out. It’s not alone, though, as the Mercedes and Land Rover challengers are also pushing the boundaries of how fast a high-end luxury SUV can be. Here’s a front row seat where the three of them decide what’s what on a drag strip.

The V is by far the most expensive Escalade on sale today with a suggested retail price of $149,990. For that money, however, you get the most powerful full-size SUV on the market with its 682 hp (508 kW). Of course, it is also by far the heaviest vehicle of this trio, weighing in at 2,820 kg. The guys at Throttle House say it’s actually so dumb it’s starting to make sense again.

For $118,700 one could pick up the Range Rover P530. It uses a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 from BMW to pump out 523 horsepower (385 kW). That’s a big gap to make up for, but the Rangey weighs “just” 2,508kg. The Mercedes is the wildcard because it weighs slightly more, 5,842 lbs (2,650 kg), but also has more power, at 577 hp (424 kW). It is also the most expensive with a suggested retail price of $179,000.

Read More: General Motors Punishes Escalade V Flippers By Canceling Vehicle Warranty

What’s clear after the first drag race is that money doesn’t always buy speed. The Cadillac Escalade V absolutely rips off the line and a quarter of a mile faster than the Mercedes or the Range Rover can handle. Despite the SUV’s weight, the supercharged V8 under the hood is just too muscular to be beaten by a dig.

However, things change when they start from a throw. Despite the fact that the V has more power and more torque, 885 Nm, it loses to the lighter AMG. While the G 63 may be a little weaker under the hood, it still develops 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque, and when combined with its much lighter overall weight, comes out on top.