2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a bold evolution in its exterior design, heavily influenced by the Escala concept vehicle. The front end of the newly redesigned Escalade featured its sophisticated touches, clearly transmitting the essence of the concept into reality. Nevertheless, the remainder of the vehicle retained traditional styling, sitting on a set of standard 22-inch wheels for the first time. The side profile displayed clean, sharp creases, while the rear end maintained its iconic tall, vertical OLED taillights that seamlessly stretched into the roofline.

Starting at a base price of $76,195, the black-on-black Escalade came with leatherette upholstery and RWD, offering a decent array of standard features with limited upgrade options. The Premium Luxury trim, priced at $82,995 and the Sport trim, beginning at $85,995, met the demands of most buyers aiming for a more luxurious or sporty appearance respectively. For those seeking ultimate luxury, opting for the Platinum trim at $99,995 was a route available for both Premium Luxury and Sport models, adding $3,000 for the extended-length ESV model and extra cargo space.

The test vehicle featured a Premium Luxury trim with FWD in striking Shadow Metallic paint, loaded with enhancements including a 36-speaker AKG Reference premium sound system, rear-seat entertainment, power-retractable side steps, a Driver Assist Tech Package, and a Performance Package. Altogether, including a destination charge of $1,295 from the Texas factory, the vehicle's total price stood at $102,310.

Inside the cabin, the luxury of the new Escalade was visually apparent. Leather upholstery was standard in all trims except the base Luxury trim, with a multitude of perforation and quilting patterns available. In Platinum trims, semi-aniline premium leather, leather-wrapped interior panels, a simulated suede headliner, and a choice of seven different wood trims were included. The test vehicle boasted Parchment leather over a Jet Black base adorned with mini-chevron perforations and Tamo Ash wood, although the lighter carpets and mats showed signs of wear despite a low mileage. Lower dashboard and door panel plastics, despite their low-gloss finish, garnered some criticism—an upgrade to soft padding would have been more appropriate considering the six-figure price tag.

Conversely, the 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant design departure from Volvo’s traditionally conservative styling when it debuted in 2016. The XC90 retained some classic design elements, such as its boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille, yet it integrated characterful details that differentiated it from its predecessors. Softer lines, strategic chrome elements, and standout “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights lent a distinctive touch that aligned harmoniously with the overall design.

The Inscription test model was the most visually striking with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels. Other trims included the R-Design, featuring a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, and the base Momentum trim with its functional yet understated aesthetic—19-inch and 20-inch wheels as standard respectively.

Built on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with other "90" and "60" series models, the XC90 embodied Swedish minimalism throughout its interior. The cabin was crafted with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, and a clean yet elegant matte-finish wood trim. Unique touches like a wool upholstery option and an Orrefors crystal shifter, though luxurious, felt slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained, minimalist interior.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between two engines, beginning with the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, highly favored for its sound and performance. Delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, this engine propelled the sizable SUV with remarkable agility, courtesy of a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technologies like direct fuel injection, automatic stop/start, and Dynamic Fuel Management allowed the V8 to operate on as few as two cylinders, contributing to an EPA-estimated 16 mpg combined for the 4WD test vehicle—realistically, achieving 15.9 mpg during a 140-mile test loop.

Alternatively, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine, a no-cost option, produced 277 horsepower but offered the same 460 lb-ft of torque available earlier in the rev range. This engine promised satisfactory acceleration and an estimated combined fuel economy of up to 27 mpg in the similar Chevy Silverado, though official Escalade figures remained unavailable.

Not just a performance powerhouse, the Escalade’s refinement extended to its improved ride and handling, attributed to its new independent rear suspension and standard 22-inch wheels. Significant enhancements came from the next-generation Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 adaptive dampers and 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension. These advanced systems minimized unwanted motions, providing near-nonexistent bounce, jounce, and roll, notably in Sport driving mode.

During the test drive across winding backroads between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Escalade’s hustle was impressive, as was its city maneuverability despite its size. The long highway stretches revealed the vehicle’s primary strength: it glided quietly and smoothly when cruising on freeways. Though the soft brake pedal modulation left some room for improvement, it performed with an otherwise refined demeanor.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain configurations, each centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The top-tier T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid (also known as Recharge) combined the T6 engine with electric assist, bringing power output to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with FWD, with AWD as an option, while the T6 and T8 featured standard AWD.

Despite a combined 400 hp, the XC90’s smaller four-cylinder engine lacked the flexibility found in the six-cylinder or V8 engines of rivals, causing it to struggle slightly during acceleration. The T8 Twin Engine’s gasoline engine often had to assist even at low speeds because the vehicle struggled to move smoothly on electric power alone.

When choosing between efficiency and power, drivers often found the choice challenging. The XC90 included Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power drive modes, but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration—pressing the pedal beyond a certain point automatically engaged the gasoline engine, making it difficult to maximize electric-only driving.

However, the XC90 stood out with its luxury attributes more than its powertrain dynamics. The ride quality was superb, courtesy of the optional air suspension, and it effectively managed body roll in corners, providing a smooth experience for passengers. The cabin remained quiet, with only minor noises from the A/C and ventilated seats audible on hot days. The XC90 featured a 5,000-pound towing capacity (4,000 pounds for the base FWD T5), which was respectable but lagged slightly behind competitors like the Lincoln Aviator, which offered a 6,700-pound capacity.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a significantly improved cabin, enhanced by its new independent rear suspension design that lowered the SUV's floor. Coupled with a longer wheelbase and increased vehicle length, these changes resulted in considerable gains in passenger comfort and cargo capacity.

Front occupants enjoyed familiar amenities with a higher level of refinement, such as standard heated seats, available ventilated and massaging seats, and 12-way or optional 16-way power-adjustable front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided heating and leg support and were easy to adjust, adding to overall comfort. Accessing the third-row seat was hassle-free, and adult passengers could now sit comfortably in the expanded third row, thanks to increased legroom and support.

Cargo capacity also received a substantial upgrade. The standard-length Escalade offered 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both second and third rows flattened. For even more room, the extended-length Escalade ESV provided 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet, respectively, for third, second, and first-row configurations.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, available in both six-seat and seven-seat configurations, provided flexible seating arrangements. Despite decent headroom and legroom in all three rows, the second and third rows felt a bit cramped and lacked cushioning and support for adults. Nevertheless, the panoramic power moonroof, in combination with the upright roof profile, created a sense of spaciousness that belied the actual space figures.

Front seat occupants enjoyed 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats with backrest massage in upper trims, but the absence of a power-adjustable steering wheel was a notable omission. Although finding a good driving position was straightforward, and the seats were comfortable, forward visibility was less than optimal due to the high hood profile. Interior storage was lacking, mainly because of the shallow center console and limited storage options in the console area.

Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of its class. It offered 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with only the front seats in use. Like most three-row vehicles, cargo space remained restricted with all seats upright.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade excelled in the technology department, particularly with its groundbreaking 38-inch curved OLED display. This impressive feature divided into three sections: a 14.2-inch instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a separate 7.2-inch control panel. Cadillac emphasized the display’s superior pixel density, greater than a 4K television, and its glare-resistant film, promising deep blacks and a rich color spectrum.

However, some functions were cumbersome. For instance, switching between Gauge, Augmented Reality (AR) Camera, and Map displays on the instrument cluster required navigating through multiple menus on the center touchscreen, an inconvenience while driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but had occasional connectivity issues. Voice recognition technology also faltered at times, unable to accurately interpret certain commands or control the climate settings.

Despite these hiccups, the AR navigation feature was impressive, overlaying directional arrows on the real-time camera view, and displaying a Google Street View image upon approaching the destination. Premium audio options included a 19-speaker AKG system as standard and a 36-speaker AKG Reference system as optional, delivering an exceptional auditory experience. Additional features like wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a user-adjustable head-up display further enhanced the high-tech feel of the Escalade.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, emphasized functionality and ease of use with its Sensus infotainment system. The XC90 included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot as standard. An optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available.

The vertically-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, operating much like a tablet with simple swipes and taps. Although lacking many analog controls, the system was highly user-friendly and in keeping with the minimalist interior design. However, small text and the stylized font made reading menus challenging while driving, and the newly added wireless charging pad had limited compatibility with larger phones.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety started with its substantial weight, offering a significant protection advantage in the event of a collision. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking below 50 mph, and pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat, Teen Driver technology, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a rear-seat reminder added additional layers of security.

Higher trims offered even more safety technology. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Driver Assist Tech Package, featured advanced systems like adaptive cruise control, higher-speed forward emergency braking, and rear emergency braking. Despite occasional false warnings and an incident involving unnecessary braking due to a misidentified obstacle, these systems generally performed smoothly and effectively. Additionally, Cadillac's upcoming Super Cruise technology promised hands-free driving on select highways, further enhancing the Escalade’s long-distance cruising appeal.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 earned the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Volvo's Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering tech, also stood out for its smooth operation and quick responsiveness to surrounding traffic.

While the XC90’s crash prevention ratings were top-tier, the limitations of Pilot Assist in navigating gentle curves underscored the necessity of an attentive driver. That said, Volvo’s consistent performance in safety-related tests and its wealth of standard safety features upheld its reputation for prioritizing passenger protection.