Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Ford Edge

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, which enhanced its cargo space. The ESV also had a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches, contributing to improved stability and a more balanced design. The vehicle's exterior was adorned with chrome or blacked-out accents, depending on the trim level, and rode on 22-inch wheels. Despite its luxurious appearance, the interior fell short of expectations, with hard plastics and a lack of unique design elements, especially for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2021 Ford Edge retained much of its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's contemporary design language. The Edge offered a cleaner look compared to competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Titanium trim featured additional chrome, while the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille and sporty body kit. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with awkward modifications to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium model offered leather upholstery, while the ST trim included sporty seats with contrast stitching. Overall, the Edge's interior was functional but lacked the freshness of its exterior.

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 available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided adequate 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 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Edge ST performance model featured a 2.7-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, standard AWD, and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge's towing capacity varied from 3,958 to 4,525 pounds, depending on the engine and drivetrain. While the Edge ST offered a sporty driving experience, the non-ST models were considered sluggish.

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, tri-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. 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. The hands-free power liftgate was inconsistent, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Cargo space measured 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Edge's rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, but the narrow console limited overall storage. A storage nook below the console was difficult to access and easy to forget.

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 wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was a 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. 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 construction zones and required driver intervention.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment system, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 12-inch touchscreen. It included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST trim came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge had four USB ports, with two rear ports added for 2021. Sync 4 was praised for its simple graphics and user-friendly menu layouts, making it easy for new users to navigate. Not all competitors offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, 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-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, adaptive cruise control, enhanced emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test score, indicating a higher risk of rollover.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," receiving top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. It scored lower for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, LATCH anchor ease of use, and headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were available on higher trims.