2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

In terms of visual appeal, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade set a high bar with a futuristic yet sophisticated design influenced by Cadillac's recent concept vehicles, particularly the Escala. Its face was redesigned while maintaining a familiar look from previous models, featuring crisp creases on its flanks and tall, vertical OLED taillights stretching up and blending into the roof. The Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, adding to its imposing stance.

For those looking for the most affordable option, a basic 2021 Escalade could be had for as little as $76,195, featuring black-on-black leatherette upholstery, the standard-length wheelbase, and rear-wheel drive. However, the most popular trims included the shiny Premium Luxury ($82,995) and the blacked-out Sport ($85,995), both of which could be upgraded to Platinum trim for ultimate luxury, bringing the price to $99,995. Adding four-wheel drive or other premium packages pushed prices above $100,000.

Our test vehicle, for example, featured Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, Shadow Metallic paint, a 36-speaker AKG Reference premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, power-retractable side steps with ground lighting, a Driver Assist Tech Package, and a Performance Package, amounting to a sticker price of $102,310.

Inside, the Escalade was luxurious but not without flaws. The Premium Luxury test vehicle showcased Parchment leather over a Jet Black base, with mini-chevron perforations and Tamo Ash wood, giving it an attractive look. However, the plastic lower dashboard and door panels were hard to overlook given the six-figure price tag.

As for the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, its design leaned heavily on differentiation through styling details across various trim levels. While the exterior looked like a typical SUV with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a sizable grille, it was a cleaner design compared to rivals like the Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade. That restrained styling emphasized cosmetic elements specific to different trims.

Our RS model sported blacked-out trim, while the High Country model added a bit of chrome. The Traverse L came with 18-inch wheels, but higher trims offered 20-inch wheels for a more striking appearance. Unlike the Escalade, which shared its platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the Traverse shared its underpinnings with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6 but aimed for a more accessible, less premium market.

Inside, the Traverse exhibited restrained styling similar to its exterior. A standout feature was the optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof that bathed the first and second rows in natural light. While materials in the RS trim seemed good, they lacked the high-quality finish of competing models in the $50,000 range.

Under the hood, the Cadillac Escalade offered two engine choices, the standard being a robust 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and came with optional enhancements through a Performance Upgrade Package, which added a performance air intake kit and a cat-back performance exhaust system. An alternative 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and offering the same amount of torque as the V8, was also available at no additional cost.

Despite the impressive V8, Cadillac didn’t overlook fuel efficiency. The engine featured Dynamic Fuel Management, allowing it to operate on as few as two cylinders to improve mileage. The test vehicle averaged 15.9 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA’s estimate of 16 mpg.

The new independent rear suspension, next-generation Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension significantly improved the ride and handling qualities. The Escalade felt smoother, handled better, and minimized ride and body motions. However, the braking system could have benefited from better pedal modulation.

Comparatively, the Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivered 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup had previously been complemented by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder variant, but that was no longer offered.

While the V6 provided adequate power, it didn’t feel particularly strong off the line. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall but occasionally delivered rough shifts.

The Traverse excelled in highway driving comfort, thanks to standard active noise cancellation and a supple suspension. Its steering was precise, giving it a solid yet comfortable feel. However, on twisty roads, it lacked the agility observed in some competitors. Its manually activated AWD system could send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels or 85% to the rear, but this capability wasn’t very noticeable during driving.

In terms of towing, the Traverse could pull up to 5,000 pounds, which was average for this segment but trailed behind competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade’s redesign translated to a bigger, more useful cabin, thanks to an independent rear suspension that allowed for a lower floor and increased interior space. The extended wheelbase and overall vehicle length enhanced passenger and cargo volume considerably.

Front-seat comfort was top-tier with standard 12-way and available 16-way power-adjustable chairs, heated seats as a standard, and ventilated seats on higher trims. Platinum trim even added massaging seats.

Second-row comfort was also improved, with heated captain’s chairs as standard and a three-person bench as an option. These seats slid forward and backward and tumbled forward for easier third-row access. Adults could now comfortably fit into the third row, a significant improvement.

Cargo capacity was substantial with the new design. Behind the third-row seat, the Escalade offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the third-row seats expanded this to 63 cubic feet, and flattening the second-row seats further maximized the cargo volume to 109.1 cubic feet. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more space with 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet behind the third, second, and first rows, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Traverse could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on whether second-row bench seats or captain’s chairs were chosen. It provided above-average headroom and legroom across all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on higher trims, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available.

Where the Traverse shone was in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These figures were among the best in its class, providing a significant advantage over the competition.

Despite its size, the Traverse was somewhat limited in interior storage options, a common trade-off seen in midsize three-row crossovers. Conversely, a minivan would be a better choice for maximum interior storage and easy loading and unloading of kids and cargo.

The Cadillac Escalade was packed with high-tech features. At the forefront was a curved-glass OLED display spanning 38 inches across the dashboard, offering greater pixel density than a 4K television. This futuristic display consisted of a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen and a 16.9-inch touch-sensing infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, although the voice recognition system had room for improvement.

The Escalade’s AR navigation superimposed directional turn arrows onto a camera view, enhancing driving convenience. The AKG premium sound system, with options for a 19 or 36-speaker setup, offered a remarkable audio experience. Additional tech included a standard head-up display (except for the base trim) and microphones in all three rows for amplified conversations.

In comparison, the Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen standard, but higher trim levels offered an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. While it didn't compete on screen size with rivals like Ford and Toyota, its system proved easy to use.

Analog controls for audio volume and climate control were retained, which many found preferable. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an HD surround-view camera system to assist with maneuvering.

Chevrolet provided two USB ports per row, ensuring device connectivity, and wireless phone charging was standard on the Premier and High Country models.

Safety was a priority for Cadillac in the 2021 Escalade. The sheer size of the SUV, weighing at least 5,635 pounds, provided a substantial safety buffer. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Additional standard elements included Teen Driver technology, parking assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and rear-seat reminders. Premium trims added blind-spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, and more. The Escalade’s advanced driver assistance systems worked well overall, though there were occasional false alerts.

For the Traverse, the IIHS awarded top “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. However, its headlights received varying ratings of “Acceptable” and “Poor,” and its LATCH child-seat anchor system was rated “Acceptable.”

NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, though with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Traverse’s safety tech wasn’t as comprehensive as competitors’, as many features were optional rather than standard. Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems were only available on higher trims.