2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade emerged as a continuation of Cadillac’s high-end design tradition, greatly influenced by the Escala concept vehicle. This influence was notable in the redesigned front, featuring a distinct face and standard 22-inch wheels, a first for the Escalade. The rear retained a familiar look, with vertical OLED taillights extending into the roof. The Escalade's pricing started at $76,195 for a basic black-on-black model with leatherette upholstery and RWD, while more upgraded trims like the Premium Luxury ($82,995) and Sport ($85,995) provided additional features. The highest luxury came with the Platinum trim upgrade ($99,995), which added more extravagant touches.

Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury model equipped with AWD and various high-end packages, bore a sticker price of $102,310. Inside, the cabin exemplified luxury through features like Parchment leather with Jet Black accents and Tamo Ash wood trim. Although the design looked impressive, the light-colored carpets were susceptible to soiling, and the presence of plastic lower dashboard and door panels felt inconsistent with the luxurious aura, a bit disappointing at such a high price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness aimed for a rugged, off-road appeal, evident from its elevated stance, 9.5 inches of ground clearance, and aggressive all-terrain tires. The Wilderness included unique design elements such as oversized fender trim, restyled bumpers for better approach and departure angles, and a distinct grille. Black 17-inch wheels, a matte black hood decal, and Anodized Copper accents contributed to its distinctive look. Geyser Blue paint was exclusive to this model.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, renowned for its water-repellant properties, and Anodized Copper stitching. While StarTex prevented moisture absorption, it didn’t alleviate discomfort in hot weather. The interior also included all-weather floor mats, gunmetal gray trim, and a practical waterproof cargo area. Priced starting at $36,995, our test vehicle came with additional features, raising the total to $39,965.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and an optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivering robust acceleration through a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both RWD and AWD configurations. It featured advanced technologies like Dynamic Fuel Management and automatic engine stop/start to improve fuel efficiency, though it achieved a combined 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile test loop.

Cadillac enhanced the ride quality with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and a 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, ensuring a smooth and controlled drive. These refinements mitigated the discomfort traditionally associated with large SUVs. The Escalade excelled on freeways, providing an isolated and serene driving experience, even more so with its upcoming Super Cruise technology.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, however, focused on a different performance niche. It was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which was ample for its 3,896-pound weight. The CVT with eight programmed ratios was a letdown, lacking the engagement that a dual-clutch transmission might have offered. Despite this, the Outback achieved an average of 21.3 mpg during a mountainous test, against an EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined.

The Wilderness trim shined off-road, thanks to its higher ground clearance, all-terrain Yokohama tires, and X-Mode traction system with specific modes for varying terrain. It showcased impressive capabilities, navigating steep grades, rugged trails, and rough roads with ease. However, the all-terrain tires limited on-pavement performance, making it less agile in everyday driving but exceptional when venturing off the beaten path.

Inside the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, significant changes brought about extensive improvements in space and comfort due to a redesigned independent rear suspension. The SUV’s larger dimensions translated into more interior volume, making for a roomier cabin. Front seats offered 12-way or available 16-way power adjustments, while heating, ventilation, and even massaging functions were available depending on the trim. Second-row captain’s chairs or an optional bench seat provided flexibility, and the reconfigured third-row seat offered adequate space for adults, a notable improvement.

Cargo capacity in the standard Escalade stood at 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 109.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The extended-length Escalade ESV allowed even more space, offering 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 126.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, despite its rugged orientation, offered practicality and comfort. StarTex upholstery, though useful for repelling water, was less comfortable in hot climates without ventilated seats. The front seats provided solid adjustability with 10-way power for the driver and 8-way for the passenger. Rear seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like air vents and dual USB ports, though they also faced the same discomfort from StarTex on hot days.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Outback Wilderness provided 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The cargo area was designed to withstand outdoor activities, with waterproof materials and a robust roof rack handling up to 700 pounds, facilitating rooftop camping.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade impressed with its groundbreaking technology, featuring a 38-inch curved OLED display integrating instrumentation and infotainment. With vibrant pixel density and anti-glare properties, this setup held promise, though it fell short in user experience, requiring deep menu dives to switch displays. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the voice recognition had room for improvement, often misinterpreting commands.

A unique AR navigation system, various speaker configurations including a 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system with separate volume controls for different sections, and a full-color head-up display emphasized high-tech luxury. The interior microphones facilitating conversation between rows and the sophisticated navigation visuals offered a taste of futuristic convenience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center dashboard. While equipped with physical controls for essential functions, most operations relied on the touchscreen. The voice recognition system struggled with natural commands, pushing users towards Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for better functionality. Despite appealing to an active, tech-savvy demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which could have been a valuable addition.

PIN code entry technology was a notable feature, allowing users to leave the key fob inside the car during outdoor activities and access the vehicle using a PIN.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade’s safety features were grounded in its substantial size and weight, complemented by modern ADAS. It came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance. Our test vehicle experienced minor false alarms in certain driving conditions, but the overall safety suite was comprehensive.

Future models promised enhancements with the inclusion of Super Cruise technology, facilitating semi-autonomous driving on highways. Cadillac’s Teen Driver report card, surround-view camera, and automatic seatbelt tightening bolstered its safety credentials.

For the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, safety revolved around preserving the effectiveness of Subaru’s EyeSight system. This encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. With steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system, the Wilderness trim prioritized driver assistance while missing out on Subaru's advanced DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology.

EyeSight proved effective on test drives, maintaining safe distances and lane integrity without becoming intrusive. Though crash-test results for this specific model weren't available, previous Outbacks earned top marks, positioning the Wilderness trim as a safe option.