2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid 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 at 226.9 inches compared to the regular Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height of 76.4 inches. 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 a luxurious appearance with chrome accents on the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Premium Luxury Platinum trims, while the Sport and Sport Platinum trims featured blacked-out exterior accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spoke designs depending on the trim level. The vehicle also boasted standard features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and a variety of packages to enhance both exterior and interior features. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which was unexpected for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more conservative design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. It provided seating for up to eight passengers and ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. The interior focused on functionality, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim, though it featured some hard plastic surfaces. The climate system was user-friendly, with large knobs for temperature adjustments, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum trim, evaluated in this review, came in a Storm Cloud paint and featured a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale look. The vehicle's design emphasized practicality, with a focus on comfort and ease of use, although some aspects, like the rear door design, could pose challenges for families with small children.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine producing 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) configurations. 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 fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but it was estimated to achieve around 18 mpg in combined driving conditions.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate quickly, with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined, compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg. It also offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The powertrain provided rewarding acceleration, making it easy to merge onto highways and navigate city traffic confidently. The Grand Highlander's ride quality was praised for its ability to absorb road imperfections, though it exhibited some vertical bounding and lateral rocking on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed to be a luxurious 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, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being reasonably comfortable 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 required careful adjustment to avoid getting stuck on the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier, and upscale features like a center console cooler were available.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of nearly 100 cubic feet. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with a mix of leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale appearance. The front and second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with supportive cushions. The second-row captain's chairs, a no-cost option, allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. While the vehicle offered ample storage, some unlined compartments could contribute to noise and vibration in the cabin. The rear doors were long and required ample space to open, which could be challenging for families with small children.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. A standout feature was the curved 38-inch OLED screen, which housed three screens displaying driver information and the infotainment system. The OLED technology provided deep blacks, enhancing nighttime driving. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally worked well, it occasionally struggled in bright sunlight or poorly-lit tunnels and required driver intervention when it failed.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel available on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services offered features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic collision notification, and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to various commands, enhancing the user experience. The Platinum trim included a color head-up display, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, and a JBL premium audio system, which delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive 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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. The system included lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control, though it did not provide hands-free operation. Proactive Driving Assist was also standard, though it was found to be irritating in some situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.