2022 Land Rover Range Rover 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 regular 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 chrome styling on various trim levels, with Sport models featuring blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof, contributing to its luxurious appearance.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes where the use of General Motors' standard switches and hard plastics detracted from its luxury appeal. Despite its high price point, the dashboard lacked distinctive trimmings. However, the vehicle offered a range of packages to enhance both exterior and interior features, such as the Illumination and Onyx Packages. Overall, while the Escalade ESV presented a posh exterior, its interior fell short of expectations for a luxury SUV in its price range.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a redesign that was more evolutionary than revolutionary, maintaining its broad, rounded face and large expanses of sheet metal. The most noticeable change was at the rear, where thin LED strips replaced the old square taillights, integrated into a darker trim element. The Range Rover emphasized its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added eight inches in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, giving it a modern look. Materials quality was excellent, with premium leather and rich wood trim elements throughout, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

The Range Rover's interior was refined, offering a more premium experience than competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, or Cadillac Escalade. The cabin's solid feel and lack of creaks, even on rough roads, added to its appeal. The Range Rover's luxury was further enhanced by its excellent materials and the satisfying heft of its components. Overall, the 2022 Range Rover delivered a high level of luxury and refinement, making it a standout choice in the premium SUV segment.

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, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, contributed to its performance challenges, particularly when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The P400 powertrain provided effortless acceleration, with Land Rover estimating a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. The standard rear-wheel-steering enhanced maneuverability, making it easy to navigate tight spaces. The Range Rover's off-road capability was impressive, thanks to its Terrain Response system, which adjusted the suspension and drivetrain for optimal traction.

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 heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade 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 hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature, though it worked inconsistently. The adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier and assisted in avoiding obstacles.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered spaciousness in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were generously cushioned, with available massage functions providing additional comfort. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row provided ample space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. The optional third row was accessible with a touch of a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Cargo space was 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 93 cubic feet behind the front seats. The split tailgate facilitated loading, and buttons to lower the air suspension's height were helpful for shorter individuals.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV featured a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system for an immersive sound experience. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports were standard. The Escalade ESV's technology highlight was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, comprising three screens for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks, enhancing nighttime driving. 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 in heavy traffic. Despite occasional failures, Super Cruise was valuable for highway driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a larger 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade available. Other tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote control via a smartphone app. While the touchscreen required more interaction due to the reduction of physical knobs and buttons, some basic climate controls were designed to minimize distraction.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies 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 2022 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. These features performed well, with the surround-view cameras being particularly helpful for off-roading. While the Range Rover was adequately equipped with safety features, some rivals offered additional items like advanced high beams and emergency stop functions.