2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its grand proportions, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior accents, while the Sport trim had darkened elements. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, though its interior design lacked a cohesive theme, with a mix of leather, wood trim, and some less impressive plastic components.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The updates included modifications to the grille surround, front and rear bumper styling, and new wheel designs and paint colors. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various packages, with the A-Spec Advance package offering high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. While the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia were not universally loved, the RDX maintained a stylish flair compared to its competitors.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it an asset for city driving. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less luxurious experience compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator, and it lacked off-road capabilities found in some of its GM cousins.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine's quick spool-up contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving character, though fuel economy fell short of EPA ratings during testing. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, and the RDX offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system provided excellent torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing the RDX's performance on winding roads. Acura revised the RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) for 2022, offering more distinct driving modes and a smoother ride. The RDX's quieter cabin and improved driving dynamics made it a compelling choice, though it didn't qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a spacious interior with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV version was 227 inches. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, 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, though adjustable, lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle. Cadillac did include useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2022 Acura RDX, a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. While the control layout required some acclimation, the RDX offered comfortable 12-way power-adjustable front seats with available ventilation. The back seat, however, lacked support, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor when folded. The RDX's cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 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. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard, along with physical toggles for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were less user-friendly. 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 standard 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, though impressive, was challenging to tune.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display screen with a touchpad controller. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen required acclimation, but the RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in for natural voice recognition, reducing reliance on the TTI. The RDX also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Standard features included satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The RDX's premium sound systems ranged from a nine-speaker setup to a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, it lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, aiming to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhancements to the AcuraWatch suite, such as pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology package and higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. While AcuraWatch's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were generally accurate, they occasionally issued false warnings. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.