Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Mercedes-Benz GLS

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 vehicle's exterior was equipped with features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof, contributing to its upscale look.

Inside, the Escalade ESV offered a less impressive interior, especially in lighter color schemes, where the use of hard plastics and generic controls detracted from its luxury appeal. Despite its high price point, the dashboard lacked distinctive features. However, the vehicle did provide a comfortable ride with ample legroom in the first two rows, although adults might find the third row less accommodating. The Escalade ESV was designed to deliver a first-class experience, but some ergonomic issues, like the inability to manually control heated seats, were noted. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, making it a practical choice for carrying large loads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS, in contrast, offered a more understated and refined design compared to the Escalade. The base GLS 450 model featured a subtle look, avoiding excessive chrome and flashy grilles. However, other GLS models, like the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions, provided more visual drama with features like flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. The interior of the GLS was well-appointed, with options for added luxuries like reclining rear seats in the Maybach model and performance-oriented features in the AMG version. The GLS 450's interior, though basic by GLS standards, still exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting.

The GLS 450's interior was equipped with a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed under one piece of glass, offering a sleek and modern look. While the interior felt high-quality, some ergonomic issues were noted, such as the touchscreen being difficult to reach and the center console's grab handles lacking a clear purpose. Despite these minor drawbacks, the GLS provided a comfortable and luxurious experience, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six. The V8 engine, standard on all trim levels, delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the diesel engine provided 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, but it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, contributed to its performance challenges, especially when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by Mercedes' EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450's six-cylinder engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was seamlessly integrated. The GLS 450's inline-six engine offered a smoother and more balanced performance compared to V6 engines, making it well-suited for a luxury vehicle. However, the GLS's suspension exhibited poor body control, leading to excessive motion over bumps and in corners, which detracted from its overall comfort. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but slightly lower than some other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed to be a comfortable and spacious people and cargo hauler. It featured leatherette seating surfaces as standard, with leather upholstery available as an option. The vehicle offered a range of standard features, including 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 other premium features. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was a highlight, 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 was prone to getting stuck on the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the lack of a physical latch release was noted as a drawback.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the second-row bench with individual captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for access to the third row, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece, increasing legroom by 3.4 inches. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. While cargo space was slightly behind larger competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, the GLS made loading and unloading easy with one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate. The GLS's air suspension could also lower to facilitate cargo loading. Despite some ergonomic issues, such as the touchscreen being difficult to reach, the GLS was well-equipped to move people and cargo comfortably.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology features, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its curved 38-inch Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screen, which housed three screens displaying driver information and infotainment content. The OLED technology provided deep blacks and crisp graphics, enhancing the cabin's ambiance during nighttime driving. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing for hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise worked well in most situations, it occasionally struggled with construction zones and required driver intervention. Despite some limitations, Super Cruise was considered a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and natural-language voice recognition. A 13-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a head-up display available as an option. The MBUX system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, steering wheel touchpads, and the touchscreen itself. The voice recognition system, activated by the prompt "Hey Mercedes," was praised for its ease of use and accuracy. However, the touchpad controller was found to be overly sensitive and difficult to use. While the GLS's graphics were visually appealing, the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes, which affected confidence in its reliability.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety technologies were available as options, such as 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating out of five, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a range of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. Despite the extensive list of standard features, some advanced driver-assistance technologies were optional, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and second-row side airbags. Optional features included Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Trailer Stability Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. Crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.