2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic aesthetics, marrying traditional and modern design cues seamlessly. Just like its predecessors, the Defender showcased a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and a flat hood, which linked it visually to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option to spec a contrasting white roof and steel wheels added a retro appeal.

Despite these nostalgic touches, the Defender’s design was thoroughly modern. It embraced aerodynamics with rounded corners and featured recessed LED headlights that amplified its distinctive personality. Significantly larger than its predecessor, the modern Defender offered improved interior space and ergonomics, unlike the cramped driving position of the original.

Inside, the Defender projected its rugged charm without being kitschy. Land Rover used bare metal and exposed screws in the doors, combining them with refined metal trim on the steering wheel, and a mix of suede and leather upholstery in the high-end Defender 90 V8 model. This blend suggested a more practical interior for off-road excursions, unlike more luxurious counterparts like the Range Rover, where the pristine interiors would dissuade off-roading.

Conversely, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold first impression with its unapologetically grandiose size. The Escalade's grille, LED daytime running lights, and sky-high taillights were scaled to match its enormous frame, reflecting Cadillac’s signature styling elements like the imposing front that resembled a diesel locomotive.

It featured Cadillac’s trim-specific styling where the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims flaunted bright exterior bits, and the Sport trim showcased darker accents with a mesh grille. By sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, the Escalade hid its truck origins well under a luxury guise.

Inside, the Escalade ticked all the luxury boxes—with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof—but fell short of having a cohesive design theme compared to competitors like the Lincoln Navigator with its midcentury-modern-inspired look. Despite having high-quality materials, some sections included cheaper plastic parts, breaking the otherwise high-end illusion.

The 2022 Defender offered multiple powertrains for different driving experiences. The base model housed a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid engine was rated at a robust 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. For those desiring more power, the new V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, allowing the Defender 90 V8 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 149 mph.

The V8 engine added dynamic rear differential, unique transmission and suspension tuning, which aimed to complement its power with sportier handling. However, the V8 model was less poised compared to the six-cylinder variant and could bring unwanted drama during cornering. Despite being a dedicated off-roader, the Defender also provided a surprisingly comfortable on-road experience. Its 8,201-pound towing capacity further outperformed many luxury SUVs.

The Escalade provided two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and identical torque output of 460 lb-ft. Both engines came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel-drive configuration. A 2023 Escalade-V model with a 682-hp supercharged V8 was also anticipated.

Testing the diesel engine revealed not only adequate performance but also smoother power delivery due to a lower peak torque at 1,500 rpm. Yet, the heavy brake pedal eroded confidence in stopping power. The Escalade’s towing capacity was slightly outpaced by the Navigator’s 8,700 pounds despite offering a respectable 8,200 pounds (when equipped appropriately). The full-size SUV’s ride remained unsettled, with standard rear-independent suspension unable to fully mitigate vibrations from pavement imperfections.

Comparing cargo space, the Land Rover Defender offered functionality across its range. The two-door Defender 90, although featuring a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, posed accessibility issues and limited cargo room. The four-door Defender 110 provided a more practical choice with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models boasted 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row down. Two-row versions held 18.1 cubic feet with rear seats up, expandable to 51.7 cubic feet, competing favorably against the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

The Defender’s interior was designed with functionality at its core. The dashboard served as a practical space with accessible controls and a substantial, refrigeration-capable center console storage bin with the option to add a jump seat.

The Cadillac Escalade, a luxury behemoth, shared its platform with GM’s full-size SUVs, reflected in its vast interior dimensions and cargo capability. The standard Escalade was 211.9 inches long, extending to 227 inches in the ESV variant. First-row and third-row legroom were among the best in its class, while its cargo capacity was unparalleled: 25.5 cubic feet with all seats up, 63.0 cubic feet with third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Despite the spaciousness, the center console offered minimal storage.

For the 2022 Land Rover Defender, Land Rover's standard Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most trims also had a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with an optional 11.4-inch central touchscreen for 2022. The interface was intuitive, with distinctive muted, cool color graphics, although screen responsiveness required a firm touch.

Additional optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a head-up display, and an invaluable surround-view camera system that enhanced off-road navigation. These side and front camera views offered crucial assistance in avoiding obstacles.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade excelled in the technology department with its 38-inch curved OLED display comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, flanked by a 16.9-inch touchscreen and a 7.2-inch trip-computer display. The integration of these screens into the dashboard was meticulously executed, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. Although icons for music, phone, and navigation were conveniently arranged, the radio station carousel format and rotary controller could be cumbersome.

Significant tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation, alongside a standard 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system. However, setting up the speaker system proved complex, with headrest-mounted speakers distorting sound quality.

Standard safety features for the Defender included lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with a speed-limit adapter. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were available. However, neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA provided specific safety ratings for the Defender.

The Escalade boasted extensive standard driver-assist technology such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Cadillac’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat supplemented these features. Higher trim levels added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and trailering blind-spot monitoring.

An optional $2,500 Super Cruise feature enabled hands-free driving on over 200,000 miles of pre-mapped highways, monitored through a driver-facing camera. Despite some quirks, like disengagement on specific roads, Super Cruise impressed with its smooth responses.