Cadillac Escalade vs Toyota Highlander

The 2022 Toyota Highlander sported a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the unique kick-up of the third-row window gave it a visually smaller appearance despite its actual spaciousness. Inside, the cabin offered generous space along with clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The interior of our test vehicle, the XSE trim, was an interesting mixture: a sedate navy-blue exterior contrasted with a bold red cabin, thanks to the optional leather package. This trim also featured unique exterior styling like ambient interior lighting and a sport-tuned suspension.

Highlander trims ranged from L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, to Platinum. The base L trim came well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, proximity/remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and five USB ports. It also featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims like the Limited decked the Highlander out with heated and ventilated seats, genuine leather upholstery, and acoustic noise-reducing windows. The topping Platinum trim enhanced the package with adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a panoramic sunroof.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a behemoth, nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It stood out on the road, making an unmistakable entrance. Externally, it managed to look relatively athletic and trim for its size, thanks to thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights that visually narrowed its girth. The Sport Platinum trim further darkened the chrome bits, adding to its sleek appearance. Cadillac’s attention to detail carried over into subtle contours and horizontal leading lines that enhanced its aesthetic appeal.

The Escalade offered six trims, all boasting 22-inch wheels and an eye-catching lighting sequence when unlocking the vehicle. Notable features included three grille designs, with the black honeycomb mesh on the Sport trims standing out in particular. The new Escalade V-Series added distinctive elements like quad exhaust tips and red brake calipers. Inside, the Escalade exuded luxury with a vast array of screens spanning 38 inches across the dashboard and a variety of wood trim choices. Though the first row felt opulent, the second and third rows, unfortunately, shared parts common with cheaper GM vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission with an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The drive-mode button on the center console offered Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, while the AWD system provided Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. Although the engine's torque was on the lower side, it provided decent pickup and an enjoyable exhaust note at cruising speeds.

Handling was admirable, even with the sport-tuned suspension on the XSE trim which kept body roll minimal. Despite this, the ride remained soft over bumps, and the steering felt composed through higher-speed turns. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, a figure that’s respectable within its class, and its payload stood at 1,685 pounds for the FWD L and LE trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 as standard, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Despite its muscle-car sound, the V8 didn’t significantly accelerate the Escalade, but it cruised comfortably. This engine boasted a fuel economy of 16 mpg combined for the 4WD variant. The Escalade exceeded in towing, with a capacity of up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model.

For those seeking more power, the Escalade-V featured a supercharged Corvette V8, churning out an impressive 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Though such power seemed overkill, it addressed any acceleration shortcomings. Cadillac also provided an optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, which offered smoother torque delivery and a combined 22 mpg fuel economy.

The Escalade’s 4WD system felt more rudimentary than luxury SUV competitors, often engaging too late in slippery conditions. However, its magnetic dampers and air suspension on higher trims managed to reduce body roll and enhance maneuverability, despite the large size.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with both the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second row in use, it provided 48.4 cubic feet, while it managed 16 cubic feet behind the third row. Quick-release latches and pull-straps made the seats easy to manage. The higher trims featured power liftgates for added convenience. The base L trim’s cockpit was notably user-friendly, boasting deep cargo pockets, extra storage ledges, and a spacious center console. The second-row captain’s chairs provided easy access to the third row, though the latter was best suited for short trips due to limited adult comfort.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, however, reigned supreme in interior space. It offered a generous 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet with the third row down, and an expansive 121 cubic feet with both rows folded. The longer ESV variant pushed these numbers even further to 41 cubic feet, 94 cubic feet, and 143 cubic feet, respectively. The independent rear suspension was a standout feature, offering more cabin space compared to rivals. Beyond space, the Escalade's interior featured straightforward controls, an optional front console refrigerator, and power-retractable side steps for easy access. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for loading, and the tailgate’s separate glass window was particularly useful for dog owners.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. This system featured a straightforward layout augmented by hard buttons. Although wireless compatibility was missing, it provided a combination of USB and USB-C ports alongside a wireless charging pad. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

By contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade brought groundbreaking technology, including OLED screens across the dash with one of the sharpest displays in the industry. Its front camera projected a high-resolution feed of the road onto the instrument panel, enhancing the augmented navigation. Super Cruise, an advanced hands-free highway driving system, stood out for its precision and safety features, including infrared eye-tracking cameras. Cadillac’s pioneering night vision displayed pedestrian-detection overlays, while the 36-speaker AKG audio system promised unmatched sound quality. Additional luxury amenities included massaging front seats and a versatile rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander incorporated Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of driver-assistance features that included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other safety enhancements like front and rear parking sensors and adaptive headlights.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received a four out of five-star rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features expanded to reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise added a layer of advanced safety with its infrared eye-tracking.