2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, but over time, its appearance became more familiar and less striking. Its blunt, bulbous nose and black windshield pillars created a floating roof effect, while swollen haunches attempted to balance the styling. Despite the 20-inch wheels available on higher trims, the design felt overwhelmed by cartoonishly-flared quarter panels. The interior offered a two-tone look with soft leather in Limited and Platinum trims, but the instrument-panel shroud felt cheap. The asymmetrical dashboard housed a 12.3-inch screen, which suffered from reflections, and the mix of illumination colors made the gauges appear busy.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong impression with its unapologetic size and distinct styling. Its tall hood, vertical running lights, and horizontal headlights gave it a locomotive-like front end. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against its vast sheet metal. The interior featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme. While the materials were generally nice, some cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from the luxury feel. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for sport and luxury models, with bright or darkened exterior trims.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving an EPA-rated 36 mpg in combined driving. With 243 horsepower, it offered optional AWD and used an "E-CVT" for transmission. Despite improved efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid's power was merely adequate, and the engine sounded strained during acceleration. The steering felt lifeless, and the ride was soft, with unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, it handled well, but bumps and dips quickly disrupted its composure. Around town, the electric motor torque and EV Mode were strengths, but overall, it wasn't enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 277 horsepower. Both engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered RWD or 4WD. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, but the brake pedal felt hard. The Escalade's towing capacity reached 8,200 pounds with the gasoline engine. Despite independent rear suspension, the ride felt unsettled, with vibrations from pavement imperfections. The Escalade lacked off-road capability compared to its GM cousins, making it less suitable for rugged adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited offered comfortable front seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and heated steering. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard, but the test vehicle had a bench seat, increasing capacity to eight. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with tight headroom and limited legroom. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was less generous than previous models, and the wireless charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell with other GM SUVs, offering a spacious cabin. It provided the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. Cargo space was ample, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 109.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior had some functionality issues, like limited storage in the raised center console. The front seats offered 12-way power adjustment with massage and lumbar support, though they felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The top infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. However, the JBL sound system's quality varied, and the voice recognition didn't control climate settings. Driver Easy Speak projected the driver’s voice to rear passengers, and a video rearview mirror provided a clear view behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, combining three screens. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display integrated well into the dashboard, with functional icons. However, the radio station carousel was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens offered excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system. Additional tech included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard but challenging to tune.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, adding intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on LE trim and above. The adaptive cruise control felt uneven, and lane-centering assistance was overly sensitive. The Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was expected to achieve a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available, providing hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. It used a driver-facing camera for safety. The Escalade lacked safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.