2022 Land Rover Defender 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 than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, which increased its cargo space. The ESV also had a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches, enhancing road stability and design proportions. The exterior boasted chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The Escalade ESV exuded luxury with features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof. However, its interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which seemed out of place for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, reminiscent of the original version, with modern touches like rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The Defender was larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and a comfortable driving position. Its interior design emphasized ruggedness with exposed metal and screws, complemented by leather and suede upholstery. The Defender 90 V8 test car combined luxury with practicality, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about interior damage. The Defender's design allowed for both style and functionality, with options for a contrasting roof and steel wheels to enhance its retro appeal.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine with 277 hp 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) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was estimated at 18 mpg during testing, better than anticipated for its size.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender introduced a new V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It joined two existing powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 hp and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The V8 model offered sportier handling with unique suspension tuning, while the Defender remained comfortable on pavement and capable off-road, with features like a 4WD system with low range and Terrain Response 2 system.

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, and a hands-free power liftgate. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. However, the hands-free liftgate was inconsistent, and the third-row folding mechanism could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 offering limited cargo space due to its two-door design. The four-door Defender 110 provided more versatility, with up to 70.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large center-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. Land Rover offered exterior cargo solutions like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes, enhancing the Defender's practicality.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its 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. The Escalade introduced Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, allowing hands-free driving on highways. While Super Cruise was generally reliable, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and construction zones.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available, offering a distinctive interface with muted colors. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Defender's off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV included standard safety features like front automatic braking, park assist, and pedestrian detection. Optional technologies included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test result due to its top-heavy design.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist tech like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking, with optional blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was common for luxury vehicles.