2022 Nissan Rogue 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, with a slightly lower 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'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 designs depending on the trim. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, roof rails, and a power panoramic moonroof, contributing to its upscale look.

Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a mix of luxury and practicality, though it fell short in some areas. While it boasted features like leatherette seating, power-adjustable seats, and a panoramic sunroof, the interior materials were criticized for not matching the vehicle's high price point. Hard plastics were prevalent, and the dashboard design lacked the uniqueness expected in a luxury SUV. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade ESV provided ample cargo space, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, making it a practical choice for those needing extra room.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to build on its reputation as a top-selling compact crossover, maintaining the mature styling introduced in the previous year's redesign. Its exterior design shared elements with other Nissan models, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The Rogue's aerodynamic enhancements, such as active grille shutters and underbody covers, contributed to its sleek appearance. Inside, the Rogue's cabin was designed with practicality in mind, offering a layered dash with contrasting colors and a center console with an electronic gear selector. The interior was spacious, with comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a roomy second row, making it suitable for families.

The Rogue's interior was praised for its thoughtful storage solutions, with numerous compartments for stashing items. It offered a generous cargo area, with 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Rogue's fit and finish were commendable, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model, where material quality was notably high. Overall, the 2022 Nissan Rogue was a well-rounded vehicle, offering a blend of style, practicality, and comfort.

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 output. 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 performance was robust, though the V8 engine 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 version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This represented an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous model's engine. The VC-Turbo technology allowed for variable compression, optimizing power and efficiency based on driving conditions. The Rogue's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback.

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, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was a highlight, 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 a convenient feature, though it was not always reliable.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage solutions, offering numerous compartments for stashing items. The front cabin featured bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a center console bin, while rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors and seatbacks. The Rogue's cargo area was spacious, with 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue's interior was well-designed, with thoughtful details and high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum model.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle featured a curved 38-inch OLED screen, housing three displays for driver information and infotainment. The screen's crisp graphics and responsive touchscreen were highlights. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driver-assist system, was available, allowing for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. Despite these challenges, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried over the technology upgrades from its 2021 makeover, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. The Rogue offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available, integrating with the navigation system for predictive speed control. The Rogue's Intelligent Key allowed for convenient access to the vehicle, with the ability to unlock rear doors from the rear door handle. Overall, the Rogue's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

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, lane-change alert, night vision, 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 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, with standard features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. The Rogue also included ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist enhanced the Safety Shield 360 features, offering Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS.