Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Notable design elements included the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a retro touch through a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle "Recharge" badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these distinctions, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to electric-car drivers who preferred subtlety. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, featuring real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The cohesive design extended to the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents, offering a premium feel uncommon in this segment.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, as the extended version of the Escalade, underwent a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer than the standard Escalade, enhancing cargo space and road stability. The ESV's design featured chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims, with all versions riding on 22-inch wheels. The grille design varied across trim levels, adding to its luxurious appearance. Standard features included LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a hands-free power liftgate. The interior, while spacious, was less luxurious in lighter color schemes, with hard plastics detracting from its premium feel. Despite this, the Escalade ESV offered a comfortable ride, with ample legroom across all rows and a significant cargo capacity, making it a practical choice for those needing space.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. Gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors providing AWD, with a combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort over performance, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, a rarity among electric vehicles.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine choices: a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V8 provided sufficient power, though it lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, impacting its performance when towing. While the EPA did not rate the ESV's fuel economy, the standard Escalade achieved 17-23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD ESV averaged 18 mpg, surpassing expectations.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and Recharge variants, offered similar passenger and cargo space, though it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and large door bins, compensated for the limited space. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were relocated to the dashboard, allowing for extra-large door bins. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV excelled as a people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. Upgrades included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The ESV provided ample legroom across all rows, with 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first 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 worked inconsistently, but the rear window offered convenient drop-in storage.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models also offered OTA update capability, though Volvo was vague on future plans for this feature. The absence of a start button allowed drivers to simply shift out of park to start the vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its technology, offering a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Standard features included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV boasted a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, allowed hands-free driving on select highways, though it occasionally struggled with lane changes and construction zones. Despite its imperfections, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with the gasoline model earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test score indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.