2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its unique design without major exterior changes but continued to stand out with its distinct boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that echoed the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Additional retro styling features, like a white contrasting roof and steel wheels, further connected it to its heritage. However, the Defender embraced modernity with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a distinct personality. Compared to its predecessor, the modern Defender was considerably larger, offering improved interior space and ergonomics.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood tall, nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground, and required a substantial 18 to 19 feet of length to park. The Escalade's imposing presence was unmistakable, making it a vehicle meant for show. Despite its size, the latest Escalade managed to look relatively athletic and trim. Thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights visually narrowed its girth, and Sport Platinum trims darkened the chrome features, effectively masking its mass. The Escalade's exterior design embraced its plus-size dimensions with pride, offering a bold statement on the road.

Inside, the Defender's rugged character was thoughtfully balanced without appearing cheesy. Exposed screws and bare metal elements complemented leather and suede upholstery, making the interior both functional and capable of handling mud and dirt. The Escalade, on the other hand, boasted a rich interior in the first row, with a 38-inch curved array of screens, multiple choices of wood trim, and intricately perforated leather seats. While the front row exuded luxury, the second and third rows fell short, borrowing parts from cheaper GM vehicles and lacking the supportive seats expected in a Cadillac of its price range.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains for 2022. The base models included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. For those seeking more power, the new-for-2022 V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. This engine propelled the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. Despite the added power, the V8’s handling in corners lacked the poise of the six-cylinder model. On-road, the Defender impressed with its comfortable suspension and minimal noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender’s off-road capabilities were notable, featuring a 4WD system with low range and generous ground clearance.

Conversely, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade's standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, aimed for gentle cruising. It had a 10-speed automatic transmission and an optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, providing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque with a combined 22 mpg. The Escalade-V model featured a supercharged Corvette V8, producing 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, making it the only Escalade with adequately sized brakes for its weight. However, despite these powerful engines, the Escalade felt heavy and less eager to accelerate compared to competitors. Cadillac's 4WD system, combined with magnetic dampers and an air suspension, offered a serene ride, though wind noise was notable at highway speeds.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats in all models, with surprisingly comfortable rear seats in the Defender 90. However, accessing these seats in the two-door model was challenging, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 provided more versatility, with three-row models offering 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 18.1 cubic feet with rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Defender also emphasized functionality with well-placed controls and ample storage options.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade excelled in space efficiency, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and an impressive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV extended these capacities further, reaching up to 143 cubic feet. The Escalade's interior packaging marvelously accommodated six adults in complete comfort, with generous headroom and legroom in every row. The dashboard featured smart and fast controls, a convenient front console refrigerator, and power-retractable side steps for easier access.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. An optional 11.4-inch touchscreen was available for 2022. The graphics and menu layouts were intuitive, though the touchscreen required a strong press. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system that was particularly useful for off-roading.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade introduced several automotive tech firsts, notably its expansive OLED screens across the dash. The front camera provided a high-resolution feed for navigation, while the optional Super Cruise offered hands-free highway driving with advanced driver monitoring. Cadillac's night vision system and a 36-speaker AKG audio system further enhanced the Escalade’s high-tech appeal. The frillier features, like LED headlights and various massage options, underscored the vehicle's luxury status.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. However, the Defender lacked published safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, not uncommon for luxury brands.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the 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 included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.