Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Volvo XC60

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 a longer wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The design aimed to maintain the proportions of a large SUV without appearing bulky. The Escalade ESV offered a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels with varying finishes. The vehicle came equipped with standard luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof, with additional packages available for further customization. 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 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a consistent design language. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean and minimalist design, featuring a new digital instrument cluster. The R-Design trim added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, though the interior was considered subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Overall, the XC60's interior was praised for its simplicity and functionality, though it lacked some of the opulence found in competitors.

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 available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided ample power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, affecting its performance when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated for the ESV, but it averaged around 18 mpg during testing, better than expected.

For 2022, the Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. Both featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, providing short bursts of additional power. The B6 also included an electric supercharger. The B5 delivered 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and the B6 exclusively in AWD. The XC60 B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the B6 achieved it in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 was praised for its smooth power delivery and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

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 first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row suitable for occasional adult use. 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. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient but occasionally unreliable. The Escalade ESV also featured an adaptive air suspension for easier entry and exit, and a rear window that opened for additional storage options.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. Despite its somewhat limited cargo space, the XC60's interior was functional and well-designed, offering a comfortable driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technology powerhouse, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker upgrade. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its 38-inch curved OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driver-assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in construction zones or with sudden changes in lighting. The system's lane-change technology was effective but sometimes slow to respond in heavy traffic. Despite occasional failures, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system. It included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The new system integrated Android-specific features like Google Assistant and Google Maps, with over-the-air software updates. While Android users could sync their profiles with the car, iPhone users still enjoyed full compatibility. The system's graphics were praised, though the Google-based design might not appeal to all users. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions, and the infotainment system's layout was intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies like adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision were available. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. New for 2022 were the Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system was available, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. While the 2022 model hadn't been rated, the 2021 XC60 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.