Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Chevrolet Equinox

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 with varying finishes. Standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while options like a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors added to its appeal. However, the interior, despite its high price, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling changes, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia updates, giving it a chunkier appearance. Unlike rugged competitors, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover look, with a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the subdued interior was less appealing. Overall, the Equinox's design was functional but lacked distinctive features compared to some rivals.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine delivering 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 V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was not rated by the EPA, but it averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a single powertrain option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Equinox had more torque than most rivals but less horsepower, making it suitable for city driving but less responsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way 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 impressive, 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 power-adjustable third row could be tricky to fold, and the hands-free power liftgate was inconsistent.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was limited, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins found in some competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out with its advanced technology, featuring a standard 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 highlight was a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. However, Super Cruise occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention in certain situations.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage. However, the center-console slot for phones was too small, and tech-savvy buyers might desire more features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Optional features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, blind-spot alert, and night vision. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover test score, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.