2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a design heavily influenced by the Escala concept, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, from the side and rear, it retained a familiar look with crisp creases and tall, vertical OLED taillights. The Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, offering a commanding presence. Buyers could choose from various trims, starting at $76,195 for the base model and going up to $99,995 for the Platinum trim. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, came loaded with features and had a sticker price of $102,310.

Inside, the Escalade's cabin was a blend of luxury and practicality. While the base Luxury trim offered black leatherette and a single wood trim choice, higher trims provided standard leather with various perforation and quilting patterns. Platinum models boasted semi-aniline premium leather and a simulated suede headliner. Our test vehicle featured Parchment leather over a Jet Black base with Tamo Ash wood, though the light-colored carpets showed signs of soiling with less than 1,000 miles on the odometer. Despite some hard plastic elements, the overall interior quality was impressive.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the upcoming Bronco, aimed to capture the rugged spirit of its predecessor while offering a more suburban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro look, reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's front end echoed the larger Bronco, with bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels on the Outer Banks trim.

Inside, the Bronco Sport's cabin was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and unique HVAC vent shapes. The center stack featured several open storage cubbies and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied by model, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The cargo area was designed to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories to transport various outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered two engine choices: a standard 6.2-liter V8 and a no-cost 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder. The V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was the preferred choice for its sound and performance. It featured direct fuel injection, an automatic engine stop/start system, and Dynamic Fuel Management technology, allowing it to operate on as few as two cylinders. Our 4WD test vehicle averaged 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile test loop, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 16 mpg combined.

The turbo-diesel engine, making 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, offered better fuel economy and earlier torque delivery. The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved, thanks to a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension. These features provided a smoother, more controlled ride, especially in Sport mode. The Escalade excelled on freeways, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, though the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with two engine options: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system featured up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, adjusting steering, transmission, and throttle response for various conditions.

Off-road, the Bronco Sport impressed with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it offered good manners, though the 1.5-liter engine could sound strained when pushed hard. The 2.0-liter engine was better suited to the Bronco Sport's character, providing a more satisfying driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's new independent rear suspension allowed for a lower floor, resulting in a more spacious and comfortable cabin. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats, with ventilated and massaging seats available on higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and offered generous leg support, while the third-row seat provided ample space for adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport's cargo area was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with enough space for two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. The rear glass flipped up for easy access, and an optional cargo management package added a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin featured ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging. The Bronco Sport's roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display with greater pixel density than a 4K television. The display included a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen, though switching between views required navigating through multiple menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues during testing. The Escalade's voice recognition technology struggled with some commands, and climate system settings couldn't be changed using voice commands.

The Escalade's AR navigation system superimposed directional arrows onto the camera view, and a 19-speaker AKG premium sound system was standard. The optional 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system offered separate volume control for front and rear passengers. A full-color head-up display was standard on all but the base Luxury trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all but the base model, and higher trims featured a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with forward collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. It also featured Teen Driver parental report card technology, front and rear parking assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a rear-seat reminder. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. An optional Driver Assist Tech Package included higher-speed forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's size and weight provided an additional layer of safety.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.