Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Chevrolet Traverse

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 at 226.9 inches compared to the regular Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This extension primarily enhanced cargo space, while the increased wheelbase of 134.1 inches improved stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV was available in various trims, each with distinct styling elements such as chrome or blacked-out accents, and all versions rode on 22-inch wheels. The exterior was equipped with luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof option. However, the interior, despite its high price point, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, especially in lighter color schemes.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a more affordable and practical SUV option. Starting at $33,700, it provided a range of trims with the High Country model reaching $53,400. The Traverse underwent a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages. The RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, contributing to its appealing design. Inside, the Traverse RS featured black leather upholstery with contrast stitching and gloss black trim. While hard plastics were present, the interior layout was logical and user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls for stereo and climate functions. The Traverse was praised for its styling restraint and practicality, making it a strong contender in its segment.

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 the same 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 but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, affecting its performance when towing. Fuel economy was estimated at 18 mpg in combined driving for the RWD version, which was better than expected.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine was well-suited to the Traverse's size, providing adequate power for everyday tasks. The AWD version achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle returning 20.9 mpg. The Traverse offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with good handling and predictable behavior, although it felt disconnected from the road at higher speeds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and practicality, 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 the third row being less suitable for adults. 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. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, although it sometimes required manual adjustment of the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient but occasionally unreliable.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for up to seven passengers in the RS, Premier, and High Country trims, with captain's chairs in the second row. The RS trim featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Smart Slide function and wide rear doors facilitated access to the third row. The Traverse provided ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo capacity was 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet in total. The Traverse's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering numerous storage solutions and easy access to the third row.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured a 38-inch curved OLED screen housing three displays for driver information and infotainment. The system supported wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions and required driver intervention.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LS and LT Cloth models, with an 8-inch high-definition display in higher trims. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse RS featured a Bose premium sound system, although it was not particularly impressive. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with excellent voice recognition capabilities. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera for improved visibility and safety.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a range of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, blind-spot alert, and night vision. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a lower score in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. A Safety Package was optional for the LS trim, adding rear parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, with an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test.