2024 Chevrolet Trax 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 abundance of technology. The Escalade ESV variant extended the wheelbase by 15 inches, adding to its already impressive size. This SUV was designed for show, appealing to pop musicians, large families, and those who wanted to make a statement. Despite its size, the Escalade managed to look athletic and trim, thanks to design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality materials, but the allure faded in the second and third rows, where cheaper GM parts were evident.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, sharing little with its predecessor except the name. The new Trax was longer, lower, and wider, borrowing styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer. It featured a gaping grille and a distinctive step between the rear body sides and windows, giving it a surprising presence for a small vehicle. The Trax offered various trims, including the Activ and RS, which added rugged and sporty styling elements, respectively. Inside, the Trax had a slim dashboard design with a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents. Higher trims featured Evotex upholstery and unique design touches, though some materials, like piano-black plastic, were prone to smudging. Overall, the Trax's redesign aimed to provide a more car-like experience with improved handling and a refined interior.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, suitable for towing up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model. However, its acceleration felt heavy, and the 10-speed automatic transmission, while responsive, didn't make the Escalade feel sprightly. The Escalade-V variant addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, but it seemed excessive. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, requiring manual engagement for low-traction surfaces. The vehicle's magnetic dampers and air suspension improved handling, but wind noise at highway speeds was noticeable.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the reduced power compared to its predecessor, the Trax felt responsive, with minimal turbo lag and strong acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission carried over, but the Trax was now FWD-only, differentiating it from the AWD Trailblazer. The Trax's handling was tuned to be more car-like, with a wider track providing a planted feel. While it wasn't a hot hatch, the Trax offered predictable and nimble handling. Refinement was a priority, with active noise cancellation reducing unwanted sounds, though tire noise was noticeable in the 2RS test vehicle. Ride quality was slightly rough, but the handling made up for it.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally 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 allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Optional features included a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, didn't uniformly increase interior space. It offered three more inches of rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom, but headroom decreased slightly. The Trax had the most rear-seat legroom among its rivals, and the seats were comfortable for the price range. The car-like driving position provided excellent visibility, but SUV enthusiasts might miss the elevated seating. Cargo space increased by about 12%, with 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded, offering more space than the Hyundai Venue.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a massive span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed with navigation overlays, enhancing the driver's field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available, using infrared eye-tracking cameras for safety. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were exceptionally bright.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant infotainment upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on LS and 1RS trims, and an 11-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The Trax's screens were impressive for an entry-level vehicle, with a user-friendly infotainment system. The optional digital instrument cluster was easy to read, and information could be transferred from the main touchscreen. The Trax offered multiple USB ports, but the wireless charging pad's design might not fit all phones.

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, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert seat. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication, but it offered a decent array of driver-assist features. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear park assist. The Trax also came with the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behavior and provided a report card to parents.