2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 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 and providing a more stable ride with a 134.1-inch wheelbase. The Escalade ESV's design was characterized by its luxurious appearance, with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spoke numbers depending on the trim. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and various package options that added to its luxury appeal. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which detracted from its overall poshness.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, in contrast, adopted a more conservative design approach, reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra with its snub nose and obligatory SUV features like a tall ride height and plastic fender flares. It was smaller than the RAV4, making it a truly compact SUV, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR. The Corolla Cross offered more interior space than the C-HR, with subtle styling details like scalloping around the rear door handles and hidden logos throughout the vehicle. The base model featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims received alloy wheels and additional lighting features. Inside, the Corolla Cross maintained a layout similar to the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with some added features like oversized door handles. However, the material quality was deemed below that of its sedan and hatchback counterparts, and even the higher trims felt basic. Despite this, the Corolla Cross provided a practical and spacious interior for its segment.

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 with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, though 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. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved between 17 and 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured an actual first gear for improved acceleration from a stop, though it exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding at higher speeds. The Corolla Cross's engine worked hard to maintain highway speeds, but the interior remained quiet, and ride quality was solid. The optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, shared with the Toyota Camry, could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels and engaged during hard cornering. However, the Corolla Cross experienced noticeable body roll, and its 1,500-pound towing capacity was modest for an SUV. Despite its SUV-like ground clearance, the Corolla Cross was not designed for off-roading.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a luxurious people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats in the first two rows, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and other premium features. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, though the third row was less suitable 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, though it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate was innovative but occasionally unreliable, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension facilitated entry and exit, while upscale features like a center console cooler added to the vehicle's luxury.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with increased rear legroom and headroom. Standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models enhanced comfort. Cargo space was competitive, with 26.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and up to 66.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Corolla Cross compared favorably to rival crossovers in terms of interior space, though legroom was slightly below average. Despite its spaciousness, the interior was not particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats. The upright driving position felt SUV-like, but long trips could be uncomfortable. Storage spaces were minimal but functional.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technological standout, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports were standard. The Escalade ESV's 38-inch curved OLED screen housed three displays for driver information and infotainment, offering unparalleled graphics quality. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on select highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions and required driver intervention. Despite these issues, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch screen and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow startup times. The optional digital instrument cluster was cluttered, and the smaller display on lower trims showed redundant information. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with an additional port and wireless charging available on higher trims. However, the charging pad's size was limited, and only higher trims featured pushbutton start.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, blind-spot alert, and night vision. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a lower score in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included a comprehensive set of standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and park assist with automatic braking.