2021 Honda HR-V 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, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in 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. The vehicle's design included features like LED headlights, roof rails, and a power panoramic moonroof, contributing to its upscale look.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, especially in lighter color schemes where the use of hard plastics was evident. Despite its high price point, the dashboard area lacked distinctive features. The vehicle offered various packages to enhance its exterior and interior, but the overall interior design fell short of expectations for a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, in contrast, had a softer and friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its styling was distinctive, with unique window lines converging near the taillights. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, while Sport models had matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery, providing a solid feel despite not being a luxury vehicle.

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 buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, affecting its performance when towing. Fuel economy was estimated at 18 mpg for RWD versions during testing.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The HR-V's powertrain was underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was ineffective. However, the HR-V's chassis made up for its engine shortcomings, offering a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads. It provided decent ride quality, but its AWD system was not designed for rough terrain, and it lacked towing capability.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, featuring leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality. The Escalade ESV offered ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was less accommodating for adults. 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 worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Folding the seat down provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), while leaving it up retained 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD). The HR-V offered ample rear-seat legroom, leading the segment in this category. Interior storage solutions were limited, but controls were sensibly designed, with large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console featured a large shift lever, and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding the perfect driving position easier.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technology powerhouse, 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 boasted a curved 38-inch OLED screen, housing three screens for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks and crisp graphics. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. However, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention in certain situations.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located conveniently. However, the optional 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard across all trims.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety features included 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 gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.