2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, standing nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The Escalade ESV version extended the wheelbase by 15 inches, offering even more space. The Escalade was designed for show, appealing to pop musicians, large families, and those who wanted to make a statement. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits, which helped mask its massive size. The interior was luxurious, especially in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality materials. However, the allure faded in the second and third rows, where parts from cheaper GM vehicles were used, and the seats lacked support.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bold move by Ford, applying Mustang styling cues to a five-door electric crossover SUV. Despite initial skepticism, it proved to be a smart decision, with over 150,000 units sold since its debut. The Mach-E was available in various trims, with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995. Our test vehicle, the GT spec, featured a distinctive look with revised bumpers, unique wheels, and a dark front panel. Inside, the Mach-E GT exuded luxury with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, a high-end dashboard, and a sporty, upscale ambiance. The Mach-E GT blended style, quality, and technology, making it a strong competitor in the EV market.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a pleasant driving experience, though its standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, was more suited for gentle cruising than rapid acceleration. It achieved a combined 16 mpg with optional four-wheel drive. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration issues with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade also offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, providing better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined. The Escalade's magnetic dampers and air suspension made it nimble for its size, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with horsepower ranging from 266 to 480 and torque from 317 to 634 pound-feet. The Mach-E GT, with its extended-range battery and AWD, delivered 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The GT Performance Edition increased torque to 634 lb-ft and reduced the range to 260 miles. The Mach-E featured various driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, with the GT offering an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. The Mach-E GT was fast and exciting to drive, though its firm suspension resulted in a choppy ride. The Mach-E GT was more efficient than expected, achieving 37 kWh per 100 miles during testing.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an incredibly spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, maxing out at 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension provided generous headroom and legroom in all rows. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. The Escalade featured an optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps for easy access. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather and Miko synthetic suede. The stylish center console provided ample storage space. The rear seats were snug but supportive, with a panoramic glass roof adding to the airy environment. The Mach-E offered 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The frunk added an additional 4.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a massive span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear displays. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed of the road, with directional arrows and street names overlaid when navigation was active. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions. The Mach-E's Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The Mach-E also featured Phone As A Key technology, allowing users to unlock, start, and drive the EV using their smartphone.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology and the latest version of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change function and predictive speed assist. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022. The NHTSA had not finalized crash-test ratings for the 2023 model, but the Mach-E received top ratings for side-impact protection and rollover resistance.