2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a status symbol, offering a wide range of powertrains and personalization options. The model's design, despite nearing a decade in age, retained a timeless appeal with its hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its high-contrast, mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size and distinctive styling elements. The Escalade's design was a departure from its GM siblings, emphasizing its bulk with a locomotive-like front end and large 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Escalade offered a spacious cabin with ample legroom and cargo space, though it lacked a cohesive design theme. While the materials were generally high-quality, some cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth power delivery and a quiet cabin experience. The Range Rover's 4WD system and Terrain Response 2 traction control ensured off-road capability, although the test vehicle was not pushed to its limits. The adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable ride, but the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. Fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg combined, with the test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 277 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and 4WD optional. The diesel engine, tested for this review, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it suitable for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with body-on-frame construction and large wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs. The gasoline engine had a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were comfortable and luxurious, but the second row lacked support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center console and minimal luggage volume. The clamshell-style tailgate provided access to 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a spacious cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among luxury SUVs. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats down. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats, though adjustable, felt similar to those in GM's less luxurious models. Cadillac did include useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while functional, was not entirely intuitive and could be distracting while driving. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens that blended seamlessly into the dashboard. The touchscreen's icons were arranged for functionality, and physical toggles were retained for essential functions. However, the radio station carousel and rotary controller were awkward to use. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and additional tech features included night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included several safety packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. However, safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.