Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Jeep Wagoneer

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 than the regular Escalade, measuring 226.9 inches compared to 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its extended wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof, contributing to its upscale look. However, the interior, despite its spaciousness, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep's largest SUV, shared design elements with the Grand Cherokee, featuring a high-mounted grille, LED headlights, and a boxy profile. It lacked retro styling cues, opting instead for a modern, enlarged Grand Cherokee look. The Wagoneer rode on a new body-on-frame architecture with independent suspension, offering a traditional SUV feel. It featured standard 20-inch wheels, with 22-inch options available on higher trims. The interior had some interesting design details, such as a central touchscreen framed by wing-like structures and a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel. However, the material quality fell short of expectations for a premium vehicle, with glossy plastics and heavily-lacquered wood trim detracting from its luxury feel. Despite these shortcomings, the Wagoneer offered impressive towing capacity and off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a large SUV.

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 sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. Despite its weight, the Escalade ESV managed an average fuel economy of around 18 mpg during testing, better than anticipated.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer featured a 5.7-liter V8 mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 392 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque. The eTorque mild-hybrid system improved fuel economy but did not allow for electric-only driving. The Wagoneer came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD, with multiple 4WD systems available for enhanced off-road capability. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided adjustable ground clearance and improved ride comfort. The Wagoneer's V8 engine was responsive, and the air suspension offered a comfortable ride, though body roll and shuddering over bumps were noticeable. Despite its size, the Wagoneer performed well off-road, although its throttle was challenging to modulate.

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, tri-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with decent third-row space. It 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, though it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient but occasionally unreliable.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer could seat up to eight people with a standard second-row bench or seven with optional captain's chairs. It prioritized second- and third-row space, offering more legroom than other full-size SUVs. The Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, 70.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 116.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, surpassing its competitors. The Wagoneer featured large storage bins and a covered storage cubby, with optional digital rearview mirror and 360-degree camera system for improved visibility.

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, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in specific conditions and required driver intervention.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer offered a tech-rich experience with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. It could be equipped with up to 11 USB ports and a separate touchscreen for the front passenger. The Wagoneer featured Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, allowing passengers to stream content. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system provided an intuitive interface, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow. The head-up display was clear and easy to read.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Optional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, and night vision. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test result.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a surround-view camera system, digital rearview mirror, traffic-sign recognition, and night vision. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.