Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, a continuation of the model introduced in 2015, maintained its 2017 design updates into 2021. It offered two trims, LS and LT, after dropping the Premier trim. The LS trim featured 16-inch aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added enhancements like heated mirrors, LED lights, and upgraded seating. Despite its practical features, the Trax's design was more utilitarian than luxurious, with styling packages available for personalization.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, an extended version of the Escalade, underwent a complete redesign for 2021. It was longer and had a longer wheelbase than the standard Escalade, enhancing stability and cargo space. The ESV's design was luxurious, with chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, and the vehicle featured standard luxury elements like LED headlights and a power panoramic moonroof. The interior, however, was criticized for its use of hard plastics, which detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over rough roads, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in urban settings.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, or a 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 or four-wheel drive. The V8 provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for passing at high speeds. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was not rated by the EPA, but it averaged around 18 mpg in combined driving. The vehicle's weight and size could challenge the engine's performance, especially when towing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered decent headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seats. It featured multiple storage trays and a low cupholder placement. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, with leatherette seating and available leather upholstery. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The ESV offered 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. The hands-free power liftgate was innovative but sometimes unreliable, and the rear window could open for additional storage options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. It included two USB ports and an available WiFi hotspot. The system was praised for its easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, and a curved 38-inch OLED screen displaying driver information and infotainment. The Escalade ESV also offered Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, which allowed hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise was generally effective, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions and required driver intervention.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced safety features. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection in the LT Convenience Package. However, it did not offer features like forward-collision avoidance or lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies like adaptive park assist, night vision, and advanced adaptive cruise control were available. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, noting a higher risk of rollover due to its size.