2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased design cues heavily influenced by the previous Escala concept vehicle. This influence was particularly evident in the front fascia, giving the vehicle a refreshed and contemporary look. The Escalade's design from the rear, however, did not deviate much from its traditional styling playbook. Notably, it sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time in its history and featured tall, vertical OLED taillights which stretched upwards, fading into the roof. Priced starting at $76,195 for a base model with leatherette upholstery and rear-wheel drive, the Escalade offered various trims such as the Premium Luxury ($82,995) and Sport ($85,995), with the top-tier Platinum trim available for $99,995. Adding four-wheel drive and optional extras could push the price tag north of $100,000, as showcased by a test vehicle priced at $102,310. The interior quality included standard leather for most trims, while Platinum trims boasted premium semi-aniline leather and simulated suede headliner, adding to the luxurious cabin feel.

The 2021 Honda Passport, on the other hand, was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, distinguishing itself with two rows of seats instead of three. Visually, the Passport mirrored the Pilot's styling, right down to the dashboard layout. One shared element between the two was Honda's awkward "button shifter" design for the automatic transmission. Despite this, the Passport's interior was spacious and featured high-quality materials. For $32,590, even the entry-level Passport Sport came with 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and tri-zone climate control. Upgrading to the EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims introduced leather upholstery, a power moonroof, hands-free power liftgate, and advanced audio systems, among other enhancements.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade had an impressive performance profile. A standard 6.2-liter V8 engine delivered 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. An optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine provided 277 horsepower but offered the same torque, available sooner in the rev range, making it an effective alternative. The V8's performance was augmented with direct fuel injection, an automatic stop/start system, and Dynamic Fuel Management, enhancing fuel efficiency. However, despite its technological advancements, the 4WD test vehicle averaged 15.9 mpg. Magnetic Ride Control and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension significantly improved riding comfort and handling. The Escalade proved particularly adept on winding back roads and city streets, although the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered both FWD and optional AWD, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models. Its ride quality was tuned for comfort and included settings for Snow, Sand, and Mud, enhancing off-road capability. Nonetheless, the start-stop system could be abrupt, although it was deactivatable. The Passport's suspension was designed to balance comfort with handling, making it suitable for both regular commuting and weekend adventures.

In terms of interior space and functionality, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered significant improvements over its predecessor. The total interior volume increased due to the new independent rear suspension design and longer wheelbase. Front passengers enjoyed 12-way power-adjustable heated seats, with ventilated and massaging seats available on higher trims. Second-row seats slid and tumbled forward for better third-row access, where adults could now sit comfortably. Cargo capacity also saw substantial gains, with 25.5 cubic feet available behind the third-row seats, expanding to 63 cubic feet with these seats folded down, and a maximum of 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats flattened. The extended-length Escalade ESV provided even more space, offering up to 126.6 cubic feet.

The 2021 Honda Passport, despite its smaller size, provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray added to its practicality. The EX-L and higher trims included a power liftgate, with hands-free operation available in upper trims. The Passport’s upright seating provided excellent visibility, and the interior featured numerous storage solutions, including deep door pockets and a sizable center console.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a cutting-edge 38-inch curved OLED display that combined instruments and infotainment screens. Cadillac claimed it offered greater pixel density than a 4K TV, with minimized glare due to a bespoke film. Despite being user-friendly for anyone familiar with modern smartphones, there were minor quibbles, such as the complex process required to switch between different display modes. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were marred by occasional functionality issues. Navigation was enhanced by AR features, and the premium AKG sound system, available in 19-speaker and 36-speaker variants, offered exceptional audio quality. However, the voice recognition system sometimes struggled with accuracy.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda Passport standardized Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, setting it apart from the Pilot's initial trims. Despite this improvement, the infotainment system's dated graphics, confusing menu layout, and an awkwardly-placed volume dial left much to be desired. The lack of a tuning dial further hindered user experience, although the system’s functionality did the job.

Safety-wise, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade leveraged its substantial mass and an array of advanced safety features. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Higher trims, such as the Premium Luxury and Sport, added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional safety enhancements included high-speed forward emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control. Despite an incident where the adaptive cruise control issued an unwarranted brake application, the Escalade’s advanced safety systems generally operated smoothly.

The 2021 Honda Passport also came packed with safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert further increased its safety profile. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and achieved top "Good" ratings from IIHS in most crash tests, although it received "Acceptable" ratings for passenger-side small overlap front impacts and headlight performance. Its front-crash prevention was also rated "Advanced."