Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Chevrolet Blazer

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 at 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The grille design varied across trim levels, adding to its upscale look. Standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while optional packages offered further enhancements.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, especially in lighter color schemes where the use of hard plastics was evident. Despite its high price point, the dashboard lacked distinctive features. The dual-cockpit setup was functional but not particularly luxurious. While the vehicle offered a range of packages to enhance both exterior and interior features, the overall interior design fell short of expectations for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in several trim levels, including 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS. Most trims featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the RS trim came with a V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system. The Blazer's design was inspired by the Camaro, with a sporty appearance enhanced by 20-inch wheels. However, the black trim on the rear bumper gave it an unfinished look. Inside, the Blazer's infotainment and climate control systems echoed the Camaro's design, with an 8-inch touchscreen and innovative temperature adjustment rings. Despite the presence of hard plastics, the interior was visually appealing, especially with the RS trim's red accents matching the exterior paint.

The Blazer RS offered a firm and sporty driving experience, with the V6 engine providing satisfying acceleration. However, the suspension and transmission performance were less impressive on winding roads. The steering felt artificial in Sport mode, and the vehicle struggled with downshifting in curves. Despite these shortcomings, the Blazer was agreeable to drive in typical conditions, with decent fuel economy ratings. The RS trim's styling and power were appealing, but the driving dynamics didn't fully match the sporty promise.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 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 available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The RS trim's dual-clutch AWD system improved responsiveness on low-traction surfaces. The V6 engine offered satisfying acceleration, though it was loud and unrefined. The Blazer RS could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine. Fuel economy for the Blazer RS AWD was rated at 21 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, with leatherette seating surfaces standard and leather upholstery available. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior offered good legroom in the first two rows, with the third row providing adequate space for adults on short trips. The Escalade ESV boasted 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it sometimes required manual adjustment of the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a comfortable and practical interior, with black leather upholstery and red perforations in the RS trim. The steering wheel was adjustable and heated, and the front seats featured power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Blazer's back seat was wide and flat, with ample legroom and the ability to slide forward and back for additional cargo or passenger space. Storage options included a large glove compartment, a center armrest bin, and door panel shelves. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded down. Most trims featured a power rear liftgate, with hands-free operation available on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system and an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured 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 displays for driver information and infotainment. The screen's graphics were crisp and responsive, and the system's menu layers were intuitive. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally worked well, it occasionally struggled in bright sunlight or poorly-lit tunnels and required driver intervention when it failed.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, high-resolution graphics, and separate stereo volume and tuning controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation. The Blazer also featured wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety technology included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror. The Blazer's infotainment system was easy to use, with responsive voice recognition and connected navigation.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety features included 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 in the rollover test.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The Blazer's advanced driving assistance systems worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective lane-keeping assistance.