2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

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 than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. Despite its upscale look, the interior fell short in terms of luxury, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, in its second generation since 2014, received a refresh in 2018 that carried over into 2021. This refresh introduced a dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of trims, each with distinct features. The base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and a premium sound system. Higher trims added features like quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a more powerful engine. The Autobiography trim marked the beginning of high-end luxury, while the SVR models focused on performance with a powerful V8 engine and sport seats. The Range Rover Sport's interior was characterized by its dual-screen setup, though it was not always intuitive, and earlier models had some bugs.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV was a heavy vehicle, weighing between 5,785 and 6,182 pounds, which could challenge the engine's performance at higher speeds, especially when towing. The EPA did not rate the Escalade ESV for fuel economy, but the traditional Escalade achieved between 17 and 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 version with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The HSE Silver Edition offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid delivering 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, while the SVR models had an even more powerful version with 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with height-adjustable air suspension and a Terrain Response system for various terrains. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a third row suitable for occasional adult use. 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. The hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature, though it worked inconsistently. The Escalade ESV also offered a rear window that opened for additional storage options.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, with luxurious appointments. The Range Rover Sport's cargo space was adequate for road trips or extra bags but not as spacious as some competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally worked well, it occasionally struggled in bright sunlight or poorly-lit areas and required driver intervention when it failed.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, though it featured dials for multiple functions. The upper touchscreen had reasonably sized icons for menu navigation and supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system had its quirks, it was functional and offered a real volume button.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Additional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-keep assist, and night vision. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view parking camera. While the Range Rover Sport had a decent list of safety features, some were only available as options.