2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that 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. 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 priced near or above $90,000.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, on the other hand, showcased a bold design with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept, offering a balanced and appealing look. Available in various trims, it featured standard or optional 20-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The Outlander SEL trim, equipped with AWD and the Touring Package, offered a luxurious interior with premium leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The minimalist interior design was complemented by authentic aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded of its compact crossover segment. Despite this, Mitsubishi avoided using obviously cheap materials, maintaining a sense of quality throughout.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, and while the V8 provided sufficient power, it lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. Fuel economy was estimated at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, but its performance was underwhelming, especially at higher speeds or during passing maneuvers. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a less comfortable ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

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 seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being less suitable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third. However, the power liftgate was inconsistent, and the third-row folding mechanism could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The interior design was clean and intuitive, though the center console lacked storage space. The rear seat offered generous room and comfort, with the ability to slide for additional cargo space. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children, with limited cargo capacity when in use. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 33.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet available.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out with its advanced technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 38-inch OLED screen housing three displays. The Super Cruise advanced driving assist system allowed for hands-free driving on certain highways, though it occasionally struggled with lane changes and construction zones. Despite some limitations, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offered impressive technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The Outlander also featured wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, impacting its effectiveness while driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a range of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test result, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, providing smooth and accurate assistance. It included common driver-assist technologies like forward collision avoidance and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance could be intrusive, and crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.