Cadillac Escalade vs Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge had retained much of its styling since its 2019 refresh, seamlessly integrating modern Ford aesthetics with the existing body shell. This produced a sleek, cleaner-looking alternative to rivals like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Titanium trim added a splash of chrome, while the ST trim featured a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. However, the interior began to show signs of aging, especially next to the updated tech features. The design seemed less fresh, with leather upholstery in Titanium models and sporty, bolstered seats in ST models.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold first impression with its unapologetically massive appearance. LED daytime running lights, taillights recalling classic Cadillac's sky-high tailfins, and a front end reminiscent of a diesel locomotive set it apart. Offering sport and luxury trims with distinctive exterior accents, the Escalade emphasized its bulk with 22-inch wheels that appeared almost diminutive. Inside, the Escalade followed typical Cadillac SUV patterns, featuring leather, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. Yet, its interior design lacked a cohesive theme, and the use of some cheap plastics was noticeable despite some high-end finishes.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered two primary engine options. Most models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Ford also introduced the Edge ST, featuring a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The ST came with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission, making it sportier with model-specific suspension tuning and optional upgraded brakes. Towing capacities varied from 3,958 pounds for the base FWD four-cylinder to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered Edge ST.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine, which produced 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission available in RWD or 4WD. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and lower torque peaks, beneficial for initial acceleration. However, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, despite the air suspension and independent rear suspension. Notably, its maximum towing capacity was 8,200 pounds, slightly behind that of the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2021 Ford Edge stayed competitive with generous interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. It had the most rear-seat headroom and commendable legroom in both rows. Cargo capacity was notable, with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly trailing behind the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. However, the center console space was only average, and the design tweaks over the years to integrate new tech could appear disjointed.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing body shell and chassis with GM’s other full-size SUVs, provided a cavernous interior. It boasted the most first and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. Cargo space was plentiful, offering 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats stowed. The raised center console lacked adequate storage space, and while front seats had massage and lumbar support, the seating felt like it was shared with less luxurious GM cousins. Despite this, it included crucial usability features like well-sized sun visors and dedicated seat heating/ventilation buttons.

The 2021 Ford Edge was updated with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Standard tech also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, four USB ports, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system in the ST models. The simple menu layouts and graphics made the system user-friendly, though competitors didn’t always offer wireless connectivity.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade showcased an elaborate 38-inch curved OLED display, segmented into a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch central touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside Bluetooth. The layout was visually appealing and functional, blending seamlessly with the interior design. Despite retaining physical toggles for crucial functions, some features, like the radio station carousel and rotary controller, were less intuitive. The Escalade offered tech features like superb resolution 360-degree cameras, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. However, tuning the 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was challenging, with headrest-mounted speakers causing distortion.

The 2021 Ford Edge excelled in safety evaluations, being named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” with top “Good” ratings in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It did drop to an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention, and some headlight ratings were less than ideal. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, but with a four-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist, among others.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with an extensive suite of driver-assist tech: adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while trailer blind-spot monitoring was standard on top trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated hands-free driving system, was available on most trims. While the IIHS and NHTSA did not provide crash ratings for this model year, the technology aimed at prevention was highly advanced, offering features like automated lane changes and driver monitoring to ensure safety.