2022 Ford Explorer 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 due to its extended wheelbase of 134.1 inches. 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 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 illuminating door handles, contributing to its luxurious appearance.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes, where the use of hard plastics and generic controls detracted from its luxury status. Despite its high price point, the dashboard area lacked distinctive features. 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 vehicle in its price range.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup with eight models, ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding destination charges. The lineup included the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, with the new ST-Line adding a sporty touch to the XLT version. The King Ranch model, tested here, featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, and a Premium Technology package, bringing its MSRP to $59,880. Visually, the King Ranch was distinguished by its emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, though it shared much of its appearance with other Explorer models.

The Explorer's design was based on a rear-drive platform, resulting in a long hood, short front overhang, and a sleek roofline. Inside, the King Ranch boasted exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. While the cabin exhibited a mix of quality materials, it generally felt worthy of its price point. However, traces of the base trim were occasionally evident. Overall, the Explorer King Ranch offered a blend of ruggedness and luxury, appealing to those seeking a versatile SUV.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six producing 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) and four-wheel drive (4WD). 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, contributed to its performance challenges, particularly when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided up to 24 mpg in combined driving and a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. The Explorer Limited offered an efficient hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.3-liter V6, delivering 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch, Platinum, and ST trims featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds and a maximum gas mileage of 21 mpg. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg during testing, offering satisfying acceleration and a pleasing exhaust note. The Explorer's ride quality was robust, with off-road capabilities and a sporty feel for daily driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. 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 and adaptive air suspension added convenience, though the liftgate's functionality was inconsistent.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The King Ranch model featured triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Massaging front seats were standard, with 14-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the front passenger. The second-row seats were nearly as comfortable, but the third-row seat was challenging for adults to access and lacked legroom. The Explorer's cabin had limited practical storage space, with missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. The King Ranch test vehicle had a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technology powerhouse, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. 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 with lane changes and construction zones, requiring driver intervention.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch model included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. It also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Explorer's Sync 3 system lagged behind Ford's newer Sync 4 technology, with limitations in voice recognition and feature operation. The King Ranch also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0 for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with standard Ford Co-Pilot360 features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Explorer also offered Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. While the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, the previous year's Explorer received five-star ratings in most categories. The Explorer's safety systems generally operated smoothly, though the lane-centering assist system occasionally disengaged on winding roads.