2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was a modernized entry-level SUV in the Mercedes lineup, positioned as the smallest SUV offering. Its design featured short overhangs and cladding, contributing to a beefier appearance, while the wider track added to its elegantly muscular look. Despite its appealing exterior, the interior of the GLA 250 was less impressive, with surfaces that were easily scratched and not as premium as expected. The seats, although nicely appointed, were not the focal point of the interior experience. Overall, the GLA's interior did not measure up to other luxury crossovers, with mass-market models offering nicer interiors for a similar price.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was the extended version of the Escalade, redesigned for the model year. It was longer and slightly lower than the standard Escalade, with a lengthened wheelbase that improved stability and design proportions. The Escalade ESV featured chrome styling on luxury trims and blacked-out accents on sportier versions, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The exterior was equipped with luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof. However, the interior was less posh, with hard plastics and a lack of special dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered three variants, with a high-performance AMG GLA 45 on the way. The GLA 250 and 250 4MATIC were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45 offered enhanced performance, with the latter achieving 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. The GLA's AWD system could be regulated using drive modes, and the vehicle featured a MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link rear axle. However, the GLA 250 struggled with turbo lag and road noise, and its steering was numb, typical for its class.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine. The V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Escalade ESV was available with RWD or 4WD. The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was better than anticipated, averaging around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA's added height provided a more SUV-like seating position, with easy ingress and egress. The front seats offered fantastic headroom and legroom, while the rear seats, with a 40/20/40 split-fold, provided more legroom than before. The GLA featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and reclining rear seats. Cargo space was average for its class, with 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo hauling, with leatherette seating surfaces and available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Escalade ESV offered 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, and the hands-free power liftgate worked about 50 percent of the time.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 7.0-inch display screens. The system included four USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Buyers could upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, and wireless device charging. The MBUX system was easy to use, with intuitive scrolling and selection functionality, but lacked a quick way to scroll through radio stations.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with a 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Standard features included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV featured a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise system was available, offering advanced driving assist features, although it occasionally struggled with lane changes and sudden failures.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came with a reasonable amount of active safety features, including a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced safety technologies, but the GLA 250 felt lacking without it. The GLA's safety features were not as comprehensive as those offered by less expensive SUVs.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, and pedestrian detection. Buyers could add advanced safety technologies, including adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating for rollover risk.