2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood tall at nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and required between 18 and 19 feet of length to park. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and more computers than the command center of an actual port. The standard Escalade was already massive, but the Escalade ESV stretched an additional 15 inches, primarily extending the wheelbase. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL siblings, was designed for show. It was a vehicle for pop musicians, overzealous parents, wannabe federal agents, or boaters with big families. Its oversized presence was unmistakable, and Cadillac's tagline, "Never stop arriving," captured its essence perfectly.

The latest Escalade managed to look athletic and trim despite its size. Cadillac achieved this by pairing thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights that visually narrowed the vehicle's girth. The Sport Platinum trim darkened the chrome bits on the grille, bumpers, windows, and sills, helping to mask the Escalade's mass. The interior of the Escalade looked rich, especially in the first row, with a curved, leather-edged array of screens spanning 38 inches across the dashboard. However, the allure faded when reaching for controls or sitting in the second or third rows, as many parts were borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles. The Escalade's finest and fanciest features were restricted to the driver's space, leaving the other seats wanting more luxury treatment.

The 2023 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, showcased how far Volvo had come from its days of making boxy, utilitarian vehicles. The XC90 looked purposeful but not boastful, with a stout and solid front end that wasn't overly flashy. The grille was assertive without being too big, and the "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern flair. The XC90's dimensions and shape still leaned toward rectilinear, but it was far from the toaster-like designs of old Volvos. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a touch of drama to the otherwise stoic XC90.

The interior of the XC90 was extremely elegant, with a gorgeous steering wheel featuring two-tone leather and a three-spoke design. The materials used were delightful, including metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The XC90's design was clean and minimalist, with wood deco inlays adding a touch of nature. However, the minimalist approach led to some space and storage frustrations, particularly with the lack of dedicated space for smaller items like cell phones. Despite these minor inconveniences, the XC90's interior was a beautiful and serene place to be.

Driving the 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a pleasant experience, though the standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine didn't quite deliver the speed its muscle-car sound suggested. It was fine for gentle cruising, with the V8 smartly shutting off up to six cylinders to achieve a combined 16 mpg with optional 4WD. The V8's 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque were sufficient for towing up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model, but the Escalade felt heavy in passing situations. The 10-speed automatic transmission responded well enough, but the powertrain seemed to beg for a more spirited drive.

The Escalade-V addressed the acceleration issue with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. It was the only Escalade with appropriately sized front brakes, featuring six-piston Brembo calipers. The V-Series' output seemed like overkill, though, and a middle ground between its 682 hp and the standard V8's 420 hp would have been more appropriate. Cadillac also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, which provided smooth torque and better fuel economy at a combined 22 mpg with 4WD. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, requiring manual engagement of 4H for low-traction surfaces. The magnetic dampers and air suspension made the Escalade nimbler and more maneuverable than many big SUVs, though wind noise was subjectively loud at highway speeds.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 employed a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6, like the T6, used a supercharger and a turbo with mild-hybrid tech to churn out 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The electric motors didn't provide propulsion but powered a 13-volt starter generator to take some load off the engine.

The XC90 delivered an enjoyable, if reserved, driving experience. It didn't roll much through corners, accelerated quickly, and had an eight-speed automatic transmission that rarely skipped a beat. Road and wind noise were kept at bay, thanks to serious insulation. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90 didn't have multiple drive modes or low-range 4WD, focusing instead on simplicity. It handled well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted the most space-efficient interior of any large SUV. It offered 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a whopping 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV maxed out at 143 cubic feet, making it roomier than competitors like the Lincoln Navigator L and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L. The independent rear suspension provided generous headroom and legroom in every row, including the third row. The controls were simple to use, with a smart and fast touchscreen interface. An optional front console refrigerator, power-retractable side steps, and an air suspension that lowered the truck when parked added to the convenience. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was peaceful and pleasant, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There wasn't much cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for plugging in a phone was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was a challenge. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but removing the middle seat for captain's chairs cost $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine. The third row was difficult to access, and the available space was limited. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third seat in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This fell short of competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a huge span of OLED screens across the dash, providing some of the sharpest and clearest displays in the industry. A front camera displayed a high-res feed of the road across the instrument panel, overlaying directional arrows and street names when navigation was active. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure the driver was looking ahead. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and front seats with five different massage settings. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream Hulu and other apps, and the LED headlights were very bright.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran Google OS, making it the first vehicle to feature this technology as the standard infotainment system. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard, and natural-language recognition made the system easy to use. Owners could issue commands to their XC90 via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed away within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The XC90's minimalist design meant there were few physical buttons, and adjusting features like the heated steering wheel or driver's seat position required using the touchscreen. While these issues might fade with daily use, they could be frustrating during a test drive.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to a lower four-star rating for front-passenger protection in a frontal crash test and a three-star rating for rollover resistance. It received five stars in all other NHTSA crash tests but hadn't been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 carried a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance between the car ahead from a standstill to highway speed. These safety features were standard on the 2023 Volvo XC90, making it a compelling choice for safety-conscious buyers.