2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered an array of eight different models, ranging from the base at $33,745 to the high-end at $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. Notably, the lineup expanded to include the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, with the Explorer ST-Line added for 2022, introducing a sporty look on the XLT variant.

The Explorer King Ranch model tested came equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD), Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, pushing its MSRP to $59,880. Even with its King Ranch badging, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, the visual differentiation from other models was subtle. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a design featuring a long and tall hood, short front overhang, and a tapering greenhouse, giving it a sporty appearance. Blacked-out roof pillars contributed to a "floating roof" effect popular in previous generations.

Inside the Explorer King Ranch, Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding marked a unique interior design. The color scheme was exclusive to this trim, with chocolate brown over caramel leather. While mostly premium, some materials felt inconsistent with the near $60,000 price point, hinting at the Explorer's base trim origins.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet and stretching between 18 to 19 feet in length, presented itself as a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and advanced technology. The standard Escalade's length extended by 15 inches in the ESV variant, mainly stretching the wheelbase. Flaunting an athletic appearance despite its massive size, the Escalade achieved this via thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights that visually narrowed the vehicle's width.

The Sport Platinum trim darkened chrome details, adding a sleekness to the large SUV. Cadillac's design included horizontal lines on the side profile and subtle front-end contours for a hint of aerodynamics. The interior boasted a 38-inch curved, leather-edged screen array across the dashboard, seven wood trim options, and detailed, perforated leather seating. However, some materials, particularly the heated seat controls, shifter, and rear passenger seating, seemed borrowed from cheaper GM models, which felt out of place in the premium Escalade.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided three powertrain options. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine generating 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with RWD or optional 4WD. This configuration offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg combined.

For enhanced efficiency, a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid drivetrain available on the Limited and Platinum trims produced 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, offering up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity and 27 mpg in combined driving. However, the standout engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine also paired with a 10-speed automatic, providing up to 5,600 lbs towing capacity and 21 mpg combined.

The test King Ranch 4WD vehicle, rated at 20 mpg, averaged 20.6 mpg during testing. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, though the hybrid offered a better blend of power and efficiency.

The Explorer rode robustly like a traditional SUV, absorbing bumps effortlessly and handling off-road trails with 7.9 inches of ground clearance. For daily driving, the King Ranch felt athletic and engaging. The sport-tuned Explorer ST offered even more driving thrill with its High-Performance option package.

Driving the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, there was little joy derived from its standard 6.2-liter V8 engine, which produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The engine could tow up to 8,200 pounds in the RWD model and offered decent fuel efficiency at 16 mpg combined. However, for more spirited performance, the Escalade-V's supercharged Corvette V8, with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, substantially bolstered acceleration but felt excessive.

The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided a smoother, immediate torque delivery with better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD. The Escalade's 4WD system, though rudimentary, was effective in off-road situations, complemented by magnetic dampers and an optional air suspension, providing a nimble and maneuverable ride for such a large SUV.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered ample comfort for families of four, with occasional seating for five if equipped with a second-row bench seat. However, its third-row seat primarily accommodated children due to limited space. The Explorer King Ranch trim included luxuries like triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and massaging front seats.

Though the first and second rows were comfortable, accessing the third row was challenging for adults, and the space was cramped. Interior storage had some shortcomings. The Explorer's hands-free power liftgate revealed 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade excelled in its space-efficient interior, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rear rows down. This surpassed competitors, ensuring comfort for six adults. The independent rear suspension facilitated generous third-row space. The controls were user-friendly, with a simple and fast main menu accessible via a dial and a responsive touchscreen.

The optional front console refrigerator, plenty of USB ports, and power-retractable side steps for easier access highlighted the Escalade's thoughtful design. The air suspension eased cargo loading, and a separate glass window in the tailgate was dog-friendly. The Cadillac excelled in passenger and cargo space utilization.

The 2022 Ford Explorer's Sync 3 infotainment system came in two forms: an 8-inch horizontal touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. Our King Ranch test vehicle featured the latter. Although the smaller screen was well-integrated, the larger screen appeared afterthought-like, resembling a glued-on iPad.

Equipped with a full menu of Sync 3 technology, including FordPass Connect, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, the Explorer offered decent tech features. However, voice recognition fell short, often misinterpreting commands, showing a need for an upgrade to Sync 4 technology.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood out with its OLED screens spanning the dash, offering unparalleled sharpness and clarity. It featured a front camera displaying a high-res feed with directional arrows and street names, superior to other brands' augmented reality systems. The hands-free highway driving system, Super Cruise, was a $2,500 option, providing the best hands-free highway experience with infrared eye-tracking cameras for safety.

Additional high-tech features included a pedestrian-detection display, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, massaging front seats, streaming-capable rear-seat entertainment, and extremely bright LED headlights, positioning the Escalade at the forefront of automotive technology.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and received five-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360 with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Post-collision braking and the MyKey programmable vehicle functions further enhanced safety.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade achieved four out of five stars from NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection in frontal crashes and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, and rear parking sensors. Optional features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise. Reverse emergency braking proved unreliable, sometimes activating without an obstacle present.