2022 Nissan Rogue 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 bulk, evoking the grandeur of classic Cadillacs. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive, emphasizing the vehicle's substantial presence. The Escalade's 22-inch wheels appeared small against its vast sheetmetal, but the overall styling set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The interior, while luxurious with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, lacked a cohesive design theme and included some cheap-looking plastic bits.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated look. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof design. The interior boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The center console, with its electronic gear selector lever, provided ample storage space, including a wireless charging pad and a large storage cubby. The Rogue's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and roomy second row offered comfort and space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it efficient for pulling away from stops. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with noticeable vibrations and a hard brake pedal. Its towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator, and it lacked off-road capabilities compared to its GM cousins.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine, with its Variable Compression technology, adjusted the compression ratio for optimal power and efficiency. The Rogue's new CVT transmission offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue achieved impressive fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll and good steering feel.

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 full-size luxury SUVs. The standard version measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV version was 227 inches long. 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, despite being 12-way power adjustable with massage and lumbar support, felt similar to those in other GM SUVs.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered numerous storage options in the front cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and cubbies in the dash. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area provided 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on configuration, and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising 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, along with Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with functional and cool-looking icons. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were awkward to use. 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, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link. This system adjusted speed proactively based on road conditions ahead. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for easy unlocking of the rear doors, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (front and rear), 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 $2,500 option, offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. However, the IIHS and NHTSA did not publish safety ratings for this model year.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue had ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.