2022 Porsche Macan 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 due to a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches. 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 further enhanced by features like LED headlights, a panoramic moonroof, and power-folding mirrors, contributing to its upscale look.

Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a mix of luxury and practicality, though it fell short in some areas. While the interior was spacious, especially in lighter color schemes, it lacked the refinement expected at its price point, with hard plastics and generic controls detracting from its appeal. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade ESV provided a comfortable ride with ample legroom in the first two rows and a generous cargo capacity of 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row. However, the third row was less accommodating for adults, and some features, like the hands-free power liftgate, were inconsistent in performance.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced as a smaller, more affordable SUV beneath the Cayenne, retained much of its original design despite updates over the years. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan S benefiting from a new twin-turbo V6 engine. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a sporty and athletic appearance.

Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, with a flat dashboard and a center console housing most controls. The cabin, adorned with red leather and metallic accents, offered a sporty and upscale feel. However, the rear seats were cramped, and the redesigned center console, while sleek, required drivers to look away from the road to use its touch controls. Despite these drawbacks, the Macan provided a comfortable ride for front-seat passengers, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats and a focus on performance-oriented driving.

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 460 pound-feet 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 estimated at 18 mpg during testing, slightly better than anticipated.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the base model, delivering 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Our Macan S test car was equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S offered an engaging driving experience, with responsive steering, adaptive suspension, and optional performance upgrades. Fuel economy was close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg, with our test vehicle achieving 18.1 mpg.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and practicality, 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 interior 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. However, some features, like the hands-free power liftgate, were inconsistent in performance. The Escalade ESV also offered upscale options like a center console cooler and adaptive air suspension.

The 2022 Porsche Macan prioritized driver and front-seat passenger comfort, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats and heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, but the cushion and backrest were comfortable. The redesigned center console featured haptic touch controls, though it required drivers to look away from the road to use them. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Macan's interior was sporty and upscale, with a focus on performance-oriented driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with a 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured a 38-inch OLED screen housing three displays for driver information and infotainment. The system supported wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, offering hands-free driving on select highways. While Super Cruise worked well in most situations, it struggled with recent road construction and occasionally required driver intervention.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional Bose and Burmester audio systems. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less reliable than competitors. The Macan's climate control system was separate from the touchscreen, providing easy access to frequently adjusted features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Optional safety features 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 rating in the rollover test.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Macan's safety technologies performed as expected, though it lacked advanced driving assistance features. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS published safety ratings for the Macan.