2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 GMC Terrain received a facelift with updated front styling, new wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC equipped the AT4 with a steel skid plate to protect vital components, anticipating some off-road use. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. Despite the high price, the interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong impression with its unapologetically massive size and distinct styling elements. The front end resembled a diesel locomotive, and the 22-inch wheels looked small against the vast body. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim and the Sport trim featuring darkened trim. The interior boasted leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme. Some materials appeared cheap, detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in the torque band, but the engine felt underpowered, especially for rapid acceleration. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance was less than competitors, and the sport-terrain tires lacked grip on curves. Fuel economy was decent, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a 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 offered RWD or 4WD. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for towing. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly more than the diesel. The Escalade's ride was unsettled, with body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade lacked off-road capability compared to its GM cousins.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. Our test vehicle included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV was 227 inches long. The Escalade offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. Cargo space was impressive, 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 provided limited storage space, and the front seats felt similar to those in other GM SUVs.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. Our test vehicle had the larger screen with connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, but the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package added a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of 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, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display blended seamlessly into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. The Escalade also had physical toggles for climate control and other functions. The 360-degree camera system provided excellent resolution, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, but the NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 model.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims. Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera for safety. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2022 Escalade.