2026 Mazda CX-90 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 of 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving the ESV a more balanced appearance. The exterior boasted chrome styling on Luxury trims, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The Escalade ESV came with standard luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a deep-tinted glass, with options for a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors. Despite its luxurious exterior, the interior was less impressive, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 was a visually appealing vehicle, both inside and out. It featured a short front overhang, a long hood, and a cabin set back on the platform, giving it classic sporting proportions. The concave door skins added surface interest, though they couldn't entirely avoid a slab-sided look. The interior materials were of high quality, except for the wood trim, which had an unappealing olive undertone. The digital instrumentation was rendered as classic analog gauges, providing perfect clarity, and the 12.3-inch infotainment display was artfully integrated into the dashboard. However, the wide center console was cluttered, with limited storage space and controls for the infotainment system and driving modes taking up much of the surface. The electronic shifter was also cumbersome, requiring a second step to shift into Park. The climate control system's heat adjusters were counterintuitive, marked with a red up arrow but requiring a downward push to increase the heat.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine. The V8 was standard across all trims, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel provided 277 hp 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 Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim. The EPA estimated the traditional Escalade's fuel economy at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with the RWD Escalade ESV averaging around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrains: the 3.3 Turbo with 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, the 3.3 Turbo S with 319 hp and 369 lb-ft on regular gas (340 hp on premium), and the CX-90 PHEV with a combined 323 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel. The PHEV had an electric-only range of 26 miles. All powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The CX-90's powertrains were not particularly smooth, with the Turbo S-spec engine providing good power and acceleration. The i-Stop feature, designed to conserve fuel, could be unpredictable, causing delays when restarting the engine. The CX-90's handling was a standout feature, with quick and precise steering and a firm suspension that controlled body motions well. However, the firm suspension communicated every road nuance to the driver and passengers, and the brakes faded significantly after heating up during testing.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable people and cargo hauler, with leatherette seating surfaces standard and leather upholstery available. It featured 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 offered 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space 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 could get stuck on the second-row seat. The hands-free power liftgate worked about 50 percent of the time, with a Cadillac logo shining on the ground at night to indicate where to activate it. The Escalade ESV also featured an adaptive air suspension and a center console that could turn into a cooler.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 had firm but supportive seats, with heated and ventilated front and second-row captain's chairs and a heated steering wheel. Storage space for common items was limited, with only a shallow bin beneath the center armrest. The second-row captain's chairs had a larger center console, but some rivals offered more legroom. The third row could accommodate adults with small feet, though the second-row center console forced uncomfortable leg placement. The CX-90 offered 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 40 cubic feet with the third row down, and 74.2 cubic feet behind the first row. The manual third-row seat folding was fast, and the cargo space was sufficient for a family of four on a two-week vacation.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV featured 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 curved 38-inch OLED screen housed three screens displaying driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks, enhancing nighttime driving. The infotainment screen's graphics were crisp, and the touchscreen was responsive. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. Super Cruise included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, though it struggled in bright sunlight, darkness, and recent construction zones. The lane-change technology worked as advertised but could be slow in heavy traffic. Super Cruise could fail, requiring the driver to take control immediately, but it was valuable for highway driving.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment display, Amazon Alexa compatibility, text-messaging support, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base Select trim. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The larger display was touch-sensitive only when using smartphone integration, with the Mazda Connect system controlled via buttons and knobs. The system was sometimes intuitive but could be confusing, with a lack of natural-language voice recognition. Amazon Alexa compatibility required an internet connection, which was not functional in the test vehicle. The native voice recognition system was basic, and drivers often relied on Apple CarPlay for navigation and other functions.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection, 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 2026 Mazda CX-90 featured standard driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Higher trims included active blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, head-on traffic avoidance steering assist, and Mazda’s Cruising & Traffic Support technology. The Premium Plus trim added front cross-traffic alert, automatic intersection braking, automatic rear braking with pedestrian detection, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90 earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.