2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 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 at 226.9 inches compared to the regular Escalade's 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 road 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. The grille design varied across trim levels, adding to its distinct look. Standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and a power-extending assist step, while optional packages offered further customization.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, especially in lighter color schemes where the use of hard plastics was evident. The dashboard lacked unique trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000. Despite this, the Escalade ESV offered a range of luxury features, including a power panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors. The vehicle's interior was designed for comfort, but the use of common General Motors components detracted from its overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, on the other hand, was a compact SUV that combined practicality with a touch of style. Despite its fully-loaded status, it maintained a modest appearance, lacking the larger wheels found on non-hybrid versions. The RAV4 Hybrid's electronic AWD system was not suited for more adventurous trims, but it still presented a tough exterior for a compact SUV. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was functional and practical, with a mix of quality materials and some hard plastics. The interior was stylish, with clear instrumentation and well-placed controls. The vehicle offered decent rear-seat legroom and comfort, with heated rear cushions and air conditioning vents for added convenience. The cargo area was spacious, with 37.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

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 Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, but it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed a challenge for the engine, especially when towing. The EPA had not rated the Escalade ESV for fuel economy, but the traditional Escalade achieved an estimated 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, generating a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain provided standard AWD, with the rear electric motor contributing to the system. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The vehicle weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, slightly more than the standard RAV4. The instant torque from the electric motors made the RAV4 Hybrid feel lively during acceleration, although the engine's sound was less pleasant when revving. The EPA rated the RAV4 Hybrid at 40 mpg combined, and testing showed an average of 39.7 mpg. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension design and Active Cornering Assist system contributed to its agreeable ride and handling, although the tires lacked grip during spirited driving.

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. The vehicle featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was suitable for occasional adult use. The vehicle 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, although it could get stuck on the second-row seats. 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 the vehicle offered upscale features like a center console cooler.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front cushions. The rear seats offered decent legroom and foot space, with a reclining backrest and heated cushions. The dashboard was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. Storage options included useful shelves in the dashboard and a center armrest with cupholders for rear-seat occupants. The RAV4 Hybrid's cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The vehicle's premium sound system's subwoofer took up some cargo space, and the optional all-weather mat was cumbersome.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, which housed three screens displaying driver information and infotainment content. The OLED technology provided 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 designated highways. The system included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, although it occasionally struggled in certain conditions. Super Cruise's lane-change technology worked as advertised but could be slow in heavy traffic. Despite occasional failures, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered several infotainment systems, with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. The systems included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The test vehicle featured an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition with free updates. The 8-inch display was mounted at the top of the dashboard, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs for easy operation. The dynamic voice recognition technology was generally accurate, although it struggled with some prompts. Toyota also offered camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

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 blind-spot alert. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The SUV also had automatic high-beam headlights and a road-sign recognition system. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for its headlights.