Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Toyota bZ

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 at 226.9 inches compared to the regular 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 due to a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV was designed to maintain a sleek, upscale appearance, with chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spoke designs depending on the trim. The exterior was further enhanced with features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and various package options to elevate its luxury appeal. However, the interior, while spacious, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD, and two battery sizes. The larger battery provided more power and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the larger battery, costing $40,468 with additional options. The bZ's design was improved over previous models, with body-color trim enhancing its appearance. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, with a 14-inch touchscreen integrating climate controls. The fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the digital driver display, though criticized for its placement and readability, was part of the standard tech package. The bZ's interior was noted for its quality and organization, though the digital display's visibility was a common complaint.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD configurations. The V8 engine provided ample power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim, which could challenge the engine's performance when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved between 17 and 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, in its XLE FWD configuration, featured a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery pack, producing 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 horsepower and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models with the larger battery produced 338 horsepower, with varying ranges and efficiency ratings depending on the trim. The bZ could be recharged using a DC fast charger or a Level 2 home charger, with charging times varying based on the battery size. Efficiency tests showed the bZ performed better than EPA estimates in certain conditions, though it lacked one-pedal driving capability. The bZ's handling was generally agreeable, though it struggled with traction in certain situations and was not well-suited for spirited driving on winding roads.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and practicality, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats in the first two rows, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row, though adults might find it less comfortable for long journeys. 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 sometimes required manual adjustment of the second-row seats. The hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature, though it was not always reliable. The Escalade ESV also offered a rear window that opened for additional storage options and an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a skateboard-style EV platform with 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it easy to enter and exit. Both front seats had standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment available in both trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but offered ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ provided 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with an underfloor storage well for additional room. Folding the back seats increased cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet, though the rear window's angle limited maximum space.

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 sound experience. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports were standard. The Escalade ESV featured a curved 38-inch OLED screen, comprising three displays for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks and crisp graphics, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. The lane-change technology worked as intended, though it sometimes lacked the desired acceleration for seamless maneuvers.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, while the infotainment system was generally user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans available. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant voice assistant, which performed well in most scenarios. However, the lack of a tuning knob and low-contrast colors in daytime mode were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety by adding subtle braking and steering inputs. Other standard features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Limited trim offered Traffic Jam Assist, lane-change assist, front cross-traffic assist, and Advanced Park Assist. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.