Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Buick Envista

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, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its extended wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, 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 vehicle's grille design also varied across trim levels, adding to its distinct look. Standard features included roof rails, power-extending assist steps, LED lighting, and more, with optional upgrades like a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors. Despite its luxurious exterior, the interior fell short in terms of poshness, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2024 Buick Envista, based on the same platform as the Chevy Trax, took a different styling direction with its sloping roofline, giving it a "crossover coupe" look reminiscent of more expensive vehicles. Its front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with daytime running lights up top and real headlights flanking the grille. This sleek design was a first for Buick, setting it apart from other models like the Envision and Encore GX. The Envista's ST grade had black exterior trim and 18-inch wheels, while the top Avenir trim featured bright exterior trim and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Envista shared similarities with the Trax cabin but with smoother, more streamlined surfaces and softer materials. Despite some cheap-feeling textures, the interior was a step up from the Trax, offering a flat-bottom steering wheel and power-adjustable driver's seat. Overall, the Envista provided a more premium feel compared to its Chevy counterpart, with a quieter and more comfortable ride.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. Despite its weight, the vehicle managed an average of 18 mpg during testing, better than expected.

The 2024 Buick Envista featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). Unlike its predecessor, the Envista did not offer all-wheel drive (AWD), differentiating it from the Encore GX. The Envista's suspension included a torsion-beam rear setup for base models and a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for models with 19-inch wheels, enhancing ride quality. The Envista accelerated with urgency and provided a quieter, more comfortable ride compared to the Trax, though it felt less agile in corners.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row. Cargo space was generous, 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. However, the hands-free power liftgate was inconsistent, and the third-row folding mechanism could be cumbersome.

The 2024 Buick Envista, 14.2 inches longer than the Buick Encore, offered increased rear-seat legroom and shoulder room due to its extended wheelbase. However, the coupe-like design reduced headroom, particularly in the second row. The seats were comfortable, and the car-like design provided good visibility. Cargo space was limited, with 20.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 42 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than the Trax and the old Encore.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV featured a 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The standout feature was the 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and an intuitive interface. Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. However, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention when it failed.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The interface was user-friendly, with retained buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume. While the Envista lacked some optional tech features, it offered an impressive amount of standard features for its price range.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came with standard safety features like automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-change alert, and night vision. The NHTSA gave it a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test result.

The 2024 Buick Envista's safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features were adaptive cruise control, lane-change alert, and rear park assist. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.