2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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. 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 accents. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior design lacked a cohesive theme, with a mix of leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, capturing the essence of a luxury SUV. Its design referenced the larger Range Rover's profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The Velar's exterior featured subtle adjustments, such as a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, creating a streamlined yet blocky appearance. Special details like taillight lenses with mirrors and deep air ducts added to its allure. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's design was both stylish and functional, with a focus on aesthetics and craftsmanship.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the 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 offered rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrains. The Escalade's diesel engine impressed with smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, although its hard brake pedal was less confidence-inspiring. The gasoline engine had a slight towing advantage, with a maximum capacity of 8,200 pounds. 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 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight enhanced cornering and braking. The optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The base engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, produced 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's performance was average, with the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six offering more power and a mild-hybrid system for improved efficiency. While the Velar lacked off-road capabilities, it excelled in on-road performance, making it a compelling choice for luxury buyers.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. 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 folded. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable, lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar prioritized style over interior space, resulting in reduced headroom and limited visibility. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating, with the parking brake integrated into the transmission button. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, but the Velar's interior design choices sometimes compromised functionality.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an elaborate infotainment display with a 38-inch curved OLED screen comprising three screens. The 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 16.9-inch touchscreen, and 7.2-inch screen provided a seamless user experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard. The Escalade's display integrated well into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the radio station carousel format and rotary controller were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens offered excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with logical arrangements and customizable options. The system featured a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered intelligent route suggestions, while the 4x4 app provided off-road information. The Velar's instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, although the driving assist display lacked detail. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

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, with a driver-facing camera ensuring safety. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.