Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 the ESV a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on various trims, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and illuminating door handles, contributing to its luxurious appeal.

Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a less opulent experience, particularly in lighter color schemes where the use of hard plastics was more apparent. The dashboard lacked distinctive trimmings, which was a drawback for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade ESV remained a visually appealing and posh vehicle, with a range of packages available to enhance its features.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, measuring 11.4 inches longer to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also stretched by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L's design seamlessly integrated the extra length, making the standard model appear truncated. The vehicle retained Jeep's signature design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and additional chrome accents. For 2022, Jeep introduced new exterior paint colors, including Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather. The interior layout was reminiscent of a Mercedes, providing a premium feel without sharing parts. The vehicle's spaciousness extended to all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was designed for comfort and visual appeal, with options for lighter tan leather and a range of features to enhance the driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of 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 V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level, which could challenge the engine's performance when towing. Fuel economy estimates for the traditional Escalade ranged from 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD. The V6 engine struggled with the vehicle's weight, requiring high revs to summon power, while the V8 provided a more robust performance. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for the V6 was estimated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided a stellar ride, with optional air suspension offering adjustable ride height settings for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler. It featured standard leatherette seating surfaces, with leather upholstery available. The vehicle offered 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being suitable for adults on occasion. 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 could get stuck on the second-row seat. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier and assisted in avoiding obstacles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured a straightforward Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The vehicle's interior was designed for comfort, with a panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports. However, the air vents were small and didn't direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was loud.

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. The vehicle featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. A curved 38-inch OLED screen housed three displays for driver information and infotainment. The Escalade ESV offered Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, allowing hands-free driving on certain roadways. Super Cruise included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, although it occasionally struggled in certain conditions. The lane-change technology worked well but could be slow in heavy traffic. Super Cruise required driver intervention if it failed, with alerts to regain control.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. The vehicle featured an Active Driving Assist system for highway steering, with navigation integrated into the instrument panel. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Buyers could add technologies like adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, and night vision. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control, along with various driver aids.