2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005, was still in its second generation by 2021. The current generation, introduced in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018 that carried over into 2021. This refresh included a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. A plug-in hybrid variant was introduced in 2020, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, to the high-end SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and 22-inch alloy wheels.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size. Its grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, giving it a distinct look. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened trim. The Escalade shared its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, providing a spacious interior with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition could be equipped with a plug-in hybrid or diesel powertrain, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had an even more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system for various terrains. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. An optional Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive. The Escalade diesel, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for pulling away from stops. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly more than the diesel. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins, making it less suitable for rugged terrains.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven but reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. Both the first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was tight and best suited for children.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, provided a cavernous cabin. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV was 227 inches. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. Cargo space was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats, despite being 12-way power adjustable with massage and lumbar support, felt like they could have come from one of the Escalade’s GM cousins.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings, and the upper screen handling infotainment. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, but it included useful dials for multiple functions. The upper touchscreen had reasonably sized icons for switching between menus and supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system had some bugs and was not as user-friendly as others on the market.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. Physical toggles for climate control and other functions were retained. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller seemed like an afterthought. The Escalade’s OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard but difficult to tune properly.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist tech like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring available on top trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was a $2,500 option on most trims. It allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. While Super Cruise had some disengagement issues, it provided smooth and natural responses. The Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for this model year.