2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer at 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This extension primarily enhanced cargo space, while the increased wheelbase of 134.1 inches improved stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The grille design also varied across trim levels, adding to its distinct look.

The Escalade ESV's exterior was equipped with standard features like LED headlights, taillamps, and illuminating door handles, contributing to its luxurious appeal. Optional features included a power panoramic moonroof and heated, auto-dimming mirrors. Despite its upscale exterior, the interior fell short in terms of luxury, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings. The vehicle's interior design was less impressive, especially considering its high price point, which often exceeded $90,000. While the Escalade ESV offered a range of packages to enhance its features, the interior's shortcomings were noticeable, particularly in lighter color schemes.

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's reputation for high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black accents, depending on the trim level. M Sport models added sporty elements like body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents, enhancing its athletic appearance. The X5 offered a range of wheel sizes, from 19 to 22 inches, catering to different preferences.

Inside, the X5 maintained BMW's signature design, with a focus on leather and soft-touch materials. While the interior shared similarities with other BMW models, it was far from shoddy. M Sport models featured unique styling elements, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips. The X5's interior was spacious and comfortable, though the front seats could feel firm on longer journeys. The split liftgate and adjustable air suspension made loading cargo easier, while the available third row added versatility. Despite some challenges with button differentiation, the X5's interior was well-designed for both driver and passenger comfort.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed a challenge for the engine when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 horsepower, increasing to 617 with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds and a lack of the connected drive experience BMW was known for. However, the cabin remained quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined, while the X5 xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and other premium features. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was suitable for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet 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, though it occasionally required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier and assisted in avoiding obstacles.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with cupholders positioned at the front of the center console. The center console featured buttons and dials that were challenging to differentiate at night. The X5's wireless phone charging pad kept technology out of the driver's line of sight. Seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel firm on longer journeys. The rear seats were comfortable for children and two adults, with an available third row for added versatility. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The air suspension allowed for vehicle height adjustment, aiding in loading awkward-sized cargo. Without the third row, the X5's cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was less convenient due to the limited door opening angle.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its technology offerings, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's 38-inch curved OLED screen housed three displays, providing driver information and infotainment. The screen's OLED technology delivered deep blacks and crisp graphics, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on select highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and construction zones. Despite some limitations, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system occasionally took over musical operations unexpectedly, requiring the vehicle and phone to "forget" each other to resolve the issue. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Buyers could enhance their X5 with options like remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came equipped with standard safety features such as front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies were available, including adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, though it required human intervention in certain situations. The system struggled with lane-keeping in bright sunlight and light rain, causing safety concerns. The IIHS awarded the X5 nearly all Good ratings, while the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating.