Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Jeep Wrangler 4xe

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 at 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height of 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride with a 134.1-inch wheelbase. 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 vehicle's exterior was equipped with features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, contributing to its luxurious 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 overall poshness.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made its presence known with its unique sound and appearance. Aside from a "4xe" badge and blue accents, it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, with the addition of a power port at the windshield's base. The Wrangler 4xe was silent when running on electric power, drawing attention with its pedestrian notification system. Our test vehicle, a Rubicon trim, was painted Firecracker Red and equipped with over $13,000 in options, bringing its price to $66,690. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look, with blue seat stitching and PHEV-specific gauges. The interior was functional, with soft-touch materials and a straightforward layout. The Wrangler 4xe's interior was comfortable, though not luxurious, and offered practical features like grab handles and auxiliary switches for off-roading. Despite its simplicity, it was the best-outfitted Wrangler to date, though it lacked the refinement of more upscale vehicles.

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 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 Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing, better than expected.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Wrangler 4xe to reach 60 mph in six seconds. The battery provided an estimated 21 miles of electric driving range, with a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. In hybrid mode, the EPA rated fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe featured three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power and efficiency. During testing, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its ability to recharge the battery through regenerative braking, enhancing overall efficiency. However, its aerodynamic inefficiency and wind noise on highways were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a luxurious people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was less accommodating 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, though it occasionally required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient but sometimes unreliable. The Escalade ESV also featured an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit, as well as a rear window that opened for additional storage options.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's interior was functional and comfortable, with high door sills and narrow rear entries. The driving position was classic Wrangler, offering a clear view over the hood and front fenders. Manual front seat height adjusters allowed for customization, though seats tended to lower over time. The center console offered limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a storage bin under the load floor for the charging cord. The Wrangler's swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window added to its charm but could be inconvenient in tight spaces. Folding the back seat increased cargo volume to 72.4 cubic feet.

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 for an immersive experience. 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, offering crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on select highways. However, Super Cruise occasionally struggled in certain conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. Despite these challenges, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured a Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Wrangler 4xe's technological advancements were primarily related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system, with data displays for each. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, while blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard offered a quick view of charging status. The Alpine sound system was effective at overcoming wind noise, though it made conversation difficult at high volumes.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Additional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, and night vision. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance due to its top-heavy design.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the vehicle's small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver was also rated Marginal. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rating for rollover resistance.