2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

Cadillac had demonstrated a series of impressive concept vehicles leading up to the redesign of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, drawing particular inspiration from the Escala concept. The influence of the Escala was apparent in the front-end design of the 2021 Escalade.

However, from the middle to the rear, the Escalade didn't drastically depart from familiar styling traditions. It featured 22-inch wheels as standard for the first time, with sharp creases adorning its flanks and vertical OLED taillights that stretched upwards and melded into the roof, offering a familiar aesthetic at the rear.

The base model of the 2021 Escalade came with a price tag of $76,195 and was outfitted in black-on-black with leatherette upholstery, standard-length wheelbase, and rear-wheel drive (RWD). While it was decently equipped, it lacked extensive upgrade options. More discerning buyers would likely opt for the Premium Luxury trim at $82,995 or the Sport trim at $85,995. For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, both trims were available with a Platinum upgrade for $99,995. The extended-length Escalade ESV, offering greater cargo space, added an extra $3,000.

The test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive (FWD), boasted features including 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. The total sticker price, including a $1,295 destination charge, stood at $102,310.

Is this SUV worth the hefty price tag? From a critic’s perspective, the 2021 Escalade was a significant upgrade over its predecessors and justified its premium pricing more effectively than before. This was particularly evident from a glance inside the luxurious cabin.

The base Luxury trim came with black leatherette and limited wood trim options, but other versions offered standard leather with various perforation and quilting patterns. The Platinum models featured semi-aniline premium leather and leather-wrapped interior panels, along with a simulated suede headliner. Buyers could choose from seven different wood trims.

The test vehicle featured Parchment leather over a Jet Black base, with mini-chevron perforations and Tamo Ash wood, presenting a visually striking combination. However, the light-colored carpets and mats showed signs of soiling with under 1,000 miles on the odometer, which was concerning for a vehicle with a six-figure price tag. Also worth noting were the plastic lower dashboard and door panels, which, despite Cadillac’s efforts to coat and reduce their gloss, lacked the soft padding expected at this price point.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a design theme dating back a decade, had received minor updates for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were refreshed, and LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation were now standard across all trims. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched across the width of the taillights, and new wheel designs debuted for the top three trims. These updates generally aimed to modernize the Odyssey by reducing brightwork.

Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820 (excluding destination charges). Honda introduced a charge of $395 for specific paint colors like Deep Scarlet Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, Pacific Pewter Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl, which were previously free in 2020.

The test vehicle, an Elite trim in Lunar Silver Metallic, was priced at $48,940, including a $1,120 destination charge. New for 2021, the Odyssey Elite featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping and new dashboard ambient lighting, giving the minivan an upscale appearance. Most 2021 Odyssey models received seating material and design improvements, and new tri-color floor mats were designed to better hide dirt.

Boasting handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, reduced chrome accents, and a more luxurious interior, the Odyssey Elite very nearly earned its place as the Acura of minivans.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade defied the old adage that there was no replacement for displacement. While it came standard with a 6.2-liter V8 engine, a no-cost optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine was also available.

Most buyers preferred the V8 for its sound and performance. Cadillac offered a Performance Upgrade Package for it, including a performance air intake kit and a cat-back performance exhaust system, which added to the V8’s powerful demeanor. With 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivered to either the rear or all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Escalade had no trouble with acceleration.

The V8 featured direct fuel injection, an automatic engine stop/start system for improved fuel economy, and Dynamic Fuel Management technology, allowing the engine to operate on as few as two cylinders depending on the situation. The EPA rated the 4WD test vehicle at 16 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile test loop.

The turbo-diesel option produced 277 horsepower while matching the V8’s torque, available sooner in the rev range. Given that torque determines the feel of acceleration, the diesel option was expected to be satisfying. Official fuel economy estimates for the Escalade diesel were not finalized, but in the Chevy Silverado, the same engine provided up to 27 mpg in combined driving.

The Escalade’s ride and handling saw marked improvements, primarily due to a new independent rear suspension replacing the old beam-axle setup. This change smoothed the ride and made it better controlled, even with the standard 22-inch wheels and tires.

Further elevating the ride quality were the next-generation Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 adaptive dampers and the new 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension. Together, these systems quashed nearly all unwanted ride and body motions, especially in Sport mode, and avoided the typical head-toss effect of heavy, tall SUVs.

Driving through winding mountain roads between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Escalade displayed remarkable agility. In urban environments, it skillfully navigated crumbling pavement, and despite its size, it was surprisingly maneuverable. The only mild criticism was the brake pedal, which could have offered better modulation.

On freeways, the Escalade effortlessly glided along, better isolated from engine, road, and wind noise than the GMC Yukon Denali. The planned introduction of Cadillac’s next-generation Super Cruise technology later in the model year would further enhance its appeal as a long-distance cruiser.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, shared its drivetrain with the previous model. With 280 horsepower, the V6 delivered smooth, effortless power, complemented by a transmission offering Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters that saw little use.

This combination of V6 and automatic transmission worked terrifically together, and the engine featured variable cylinder management to conserve fuel. The EPA rated the Odyssey at 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.8 mpg on the loop.

However, the Odyssey lacked an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, leaving it at a disadvantage compared to AWD-equipped minivans from Chrysler and Toyota in regions with regular snow and ice.

New for 2021 was an electronic brake booster, enhancing the brake pedal feel and response and supporting the adaptive cruise control's new stop-and-go low-speed following capability. The ADAS worked accurately but could have been smoother. The ride and handling qualities, while firm, contributed to a pleasant driving experience with perfectly weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. Touring and Elite trims featured 19-inch wheels with more aggressive tires, enhancing handling but also highlighting the need for improved brake resistance under heavy use, as brake fade became apparent during rigorous tests.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's improved ride and handling were notable, but the greater story lay in its larger, more versatile cabin, made possible by the new independent rear suspension, a longer wheelbase, and increased overall length. This resulted in significant gains in passenger comfort and cargo capacity.

Front-seat occupants experienced little difference from the previous model in terms of space, but the new design, quality, and high-tech controls stood out. Heated seats were standard, with ventilated seats available on all but the base trim, and Platinum trim added massaging seats. Standard 12-way and available 16-way power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort was easy to achieve.

Second-row captain’s chairs, standard and heated, could be exchanged for a three-person bench at no extra cost. These seats slid forward and back, with the bottom cushions offering better leg support than the old model, enhancing comfort. Triple-zone automatic climate control was standard.

Power-release second-row seats tumbled forward, facilitating easier access to the third-row seat, which now comfortably accommodated adults. The lower floor and long wheelbase significantly boosted legroom and comfort, making the third row far more useful.

Cargo capacity also saw substantial improvements. The standard-length Escalade offered 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both rows flattened. The extended-length Escalade ESV provided even more space, with 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third, second, and first rows, respectively.

In comparison, the Honda Odyssey welcomed drivers with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and abundant storage. Despite lacking a tuning knob for the stereo and having occasional transmission gear selection mishaps, the Odyssey's user-friendliness was evident.

A 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, standard across all trims except the base LX, offered considerable comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, which passengers didn’t find uncomfortable due to good thigh support.

The Odyssey excelled in storage, though the Elite trim’s wireless smartphone charger occupied part of the center console’s top tray. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout, available from EX trim and above, allowed the two outboard captain’s chairs to slide forward, back, and side to side, with a middle section providing flexible seating options. This versatility made configuring the seats for different needs simple and effective.

Second-row seats offered plenty of support, though the non-adjustable armrests disappointed taller passengers. Both children and adults found the third-row seats accommodating and comfortable.

Cargo space behind the third row measured 32.8 cubic feet, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed, with these measurements applying to the base Odyssey LX. Nevertheless, physically removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo capacity remained less desirable.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive array of high-tech features, starting with industry-leading OLED instrumentation and infotainment screens within a 38-inch curved-glass display. This offered greater pixel density than a 4K television, with deep blacks and a vast color range while successfully resisting glare.

Despite the modern technology, the user experience had room for improvement. For instance, switching between Gauge, Augmented Reality (AR) Camera, and Map displays on the 14.2-inch instrumentation screen required navigating through three menus on the 16.9-inch center infotainment screen, which wasn’t ideal while driving.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though Apple CarPlay faced occasional functionality issues in testing, and the Escalade's voice recognition could be hit-or-miss. Inaccurate voice command interpretations and the inability to adjust climate settings using voice commands were noted drawbacks.

Physical controls on the center console were often more user-friendly than the touch screen, steering wheel controls, or voice commands. However, the AR navigation, which superimposed turn arrows onto the camera view on the instrumentation screen, was particularly noteworthy, as were the separate volume controls for the front and rear passengers on the optional 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system.

Conversational microphones amplified voices through the speakers across all seating rows, and navigation instructions were issued from speakers corresponding to the directional turn. The Premium Luxury trim’s AR navigation and 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system were standout features, though a full-color head-up display visible even with polarized sunglasses was standard for all but the base trim.

Conversely, starting with the EX trim, the Honda Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app enabling passengers to choose road-trip music and climate settings. Touring trim added navigation, a year of free HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans, Wi-Fi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system, which could now be used simultaneously with CabinWatch.

The Elite trim’s tech additions included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob made station changes trickier, and voice recognition lagged behind modern smart devices.

The rear-seat entertainment system on Touring and Elite trims comprised a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and streaming apps, but it wasn’t a touchscreen, which unimpressed younger passengers.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade prioritized safety, leveraging its hefty 5,635-pound weight to mitigate collision effects. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking at speeds below 50 mph, front and rear pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat that buzzed to notify the driver of potential hazards.

All Escalade trims included Teen Driver technology, a rear-seat reminder, front and rear parking assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. With a subscription to OnStar and Cadillac Connected Services, additional safety features like automatic crash notification and SOS emergency calling were available.

The Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance, along with a rear camera mirror. The Driver Assist Tech Package, optional with the Premium Luxury trim, augmented these with high-speed emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control.

During testing, a couple of false alarms were noted, including a forward-collision alert triggered by an incline and a semi-truck trigger on the freeway, but adaptive cruise control soon corrected its error. Cadillac's Super Cruise autonomous driving, to be available later in the year, promised hands-free driving on certain highways, adding a significant draw.

Honda enhanced the Odyssey's safety features for 2021 with a new radar unit and the addition of LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist across all trims. As part of the standard Honda Sensing suite, all trims now included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a quick-access Honda Sensing dashboard menu for ADAS adjustments.

The Odyssey’s adaptive cruise control could be jerky, and lane-departure warning relied on a wobbly steering wheel rather than vibration alerts. Based on the structural similarities to the previous year's model, the Odyssey retained its high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, including top five-star ratings aside from a four-star rollover resistance score.