2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 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 extension primarily enhanced cargo space, while the increased wheelbase of 134.1 inches improved road stability and design proportions. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The vehicle's exterior was equipped with features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, contributing to its luxurious look. However, the interior, especially in lighter color schemes, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which detracted from its overall poshness.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling with a tall hood and broad shoulders. However, it distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The Grand Wagoneer featured a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials. The Grand Wagoneer included 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences, such as seat controls on the doors and "Grand Wagoneer" spelled out on the dashboard, further set it apart from the Wagoneer.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft 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 lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level. Fuel economy was estimated at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, featuring cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also featured a Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. The Grand Wagoneer offered 10 inches of ground clearance and could ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its power, the vehicle was best driven at a stately pace due to its size and bouncy ride at higher speeds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The ESV provided 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, although it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the vehicle featured an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain's chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, it had less first-row headroom and legroom compared to the Escalade and Navigator. Cargo space measured 27.4 cubic feet with all rows in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV featured advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It offered wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV was equipped with a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise 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 tunnels. The lane-change technology was effective but sometimes slow to respond in heavy traffic.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured a second screen below the main touchscreen for functions like seat massagers. It used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software update capability. While the screen was sometimes slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating out of five, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. A hands-free version was planned for future release.