Cadillac Escalade ESV vs GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, aiming to be more upscale than Chevrolets but not quite reaching the luxury of Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its sibling brands. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive and Satin Steel Metallic paint, was priced at $52,385. The 2020 model featured a redesigned front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, enhancing its upscale aspirations. Inside, changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches and open-pore wood trim for Denali models. The cabin offered a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastics, with leather upholstery and wood trim adding a touch of luxury.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, an extended version of the Escalade, underwent a complete redesign. It was longer and slightly lower than the standard Escalade, with a lengthened wheelbase for improved stability and design proportions. The Escalade ESV featured chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport models, all riding on 22-inch wheels. Standard features included LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a deep-tinted glass. The interior offered leatherette seating, with options for leather upholstery and advanced features like a panoramic sunroof. Despite its luxurious intent, the interior had hard plastics that detracted from its premium feel. The Escalade ESV boasted significant cargo space, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, making it a practical choice for carrying both passengers and cargo.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available. The Acadia AT4 featured a dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. The V6 engine provided smooth power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, though its driving character was considered forgettable. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel with 277 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive options. The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was estimated at 18 mpg in combined driving. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, could challenge the engine's performance when towing. The Escalade ESV's driving experience was enhanced by its mechanical limited-slip differential and available electronic version in higher trims.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing six-passenger seating with captain's chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with heating and ventilation. The second-row captain's chairs were heated, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents and USB ports. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third row expanded cargo space to 41.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79 cubic feet available.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, with leatherette seating and options for leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Escalade ESV offered 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, with 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 worked inconsistently, and the rear window could open for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension facilitated entry and exit, while upscale features like a center console cooler were available.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with additional technology upgrades like USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a high-definition surround-view camera. The rear camera mirror provided an unobstructed wide-angle view.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV excelled in technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Escalade ESV boasted a 38-inch OLED screen with three displays for driver information and infotainment. Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. The system's lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control worked well, though it struggled in certain conditions. Super Cruise's lane-change technology was effective but sometimes slow to respond.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on base trims, while advanced features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking required upgrades. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS provided incomplete data, with high marks in available tests.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies like adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision were available. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test. The IIHS had not tested the Escalade ESV.