Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Mazda CX-30

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 in height. 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 it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The vehicle's design included standard features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, with options for a panoramic moonroof and other premium features. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which was unexpected for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the appearance of a smaller CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth fenders, riding on the Mazda3 platform. It featured a raked windshield that could cause visual distortion for taller drivers. The cabin was praised for its comfort and quietness, with a well-designed interior that combined conventional and digital displays. However, the infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial, was noted for its steep learning curve. The CX-30 offered various trim levels, each adding features like larger wheels, leather upholstery, and advanced driver assistance systems. The Turbo Premium Plus model included additional features like parking sensors and driver assistance technologies, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a blend of style and functionality.

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 buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but it averaged around 18 mpg in real-world testing. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, could impact performance, especially when towing.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model featured an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium fuel. Power was sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's ride was sporty and refined, with quick and precise steering, though it could be rough over potholes. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well but struggled on uneven paved surfaces.

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, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being suitable for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it could get stuck on the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could open for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier, and upscale features like a center console cooler were available.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with them in use. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a power rear liftgate, which was convenient. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, though it could get stuck under the rear seats when folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered decent headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the space of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with 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 vehicle's standout feature was a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally worked well, it could struggle in certain conditions, such as bright sunlight or recent road construction. The lane-change technology was effective but sometimes slow to respond in heavy traffic.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car systems like BMW's iDrive but lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was challenging, though entering CarPlay from the Mazda home screen was straightforward. The system could be frustrating to use, even after setting up presets, and could be distracting for new users.

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 technologies included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. 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 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with standard driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera were also included. The NHTSA awarded the CX-30 five stars, and the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award, with top marks in all crash tests and driver-assistance technology.