Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Buick Enclave

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, which enhanced its cargo space. The ESV's wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions. The vehicle's exterior was adorned with chrome styling on Luxury trims, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The Escalade ESV boasted standard luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof, with additional packages available for further customization.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes, where the use of hard plastics detracted from its luxury appeal. The dashboard lacked distinctive trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade ESV offered a comfortable ride with ample legroom in the first two rows and a spacious third row. The vehicle's cargo capacity was a highlight, with 126.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row, making it a practical choice for those needing extra storage.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from conservative styling to embrace a more modern SUV lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover SUV, was a hit with both critics and consumers, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring exterior enhancements like a new grille, fascias, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim level stood out with unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row. The vehicle's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Enclave's interior design and comfort features made it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed a challenge for the engine when towing. Fuel economy was estimated at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Enclave came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The vehicle offered a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, providing good off-the-line acceleration despite its weight. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the Enclave's cabin remained serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler. It featured standard leatherette seating surfaces, with leather upholstery available. The vehicle offered 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row. Cargo space was a highlight, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The vehicle's hands-free power liftgate and adaptive air suspension added convenience, though the liftgate's functionality was inconsistent.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility thanks to its large windshield and window openings. The vehicle featured an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and second-row heated seats. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, and the seats flipped and folded for added versatility. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technology powerhouse, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle offered wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, which housed three screens displaying driver information and infotainment. The system's graphics were crisp, and the touchscreen was responsive. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain roadways. While Super Cruise worked well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions, requiring driver intervention.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims offering a larger 8-inch version. The Essence trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power. The Enclave also offered a range of safety and driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection, rear pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Buyers could add advanced safety features like adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features on Premium trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The NHTSA gave the Enclave a four-star rating for rollover resistance, while the IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crash tests.