2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a design evolution influenced by the Escala concept, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, from the side and rear, it retained a familiar aesthetic, featuring crisp creases and tall OLED taillights. The Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, offering a commanding presence. Pricing started at just over $90,000 Canadian for the base Luxury trim, with higher trims like the Premium Luxury and Sport priced at $99,898. The Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims offered maximum luxury at $118,398. The test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim, included features like a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Driver Assist Tech Package, bringing its price to $119,988 Canadian.

Inside, the Escalade's cabin was a step above its platform siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Denali. While the Luxury trim featured black leatherette, other trims offered standard leather with various patterns. Platinum models boasted semi-aniline leather and a simulated suede headliner. The test vehicle's interior, with Parchment leather and Tamo Ash wood, looked impressive, though the light-coloured carpets showed signs of wear. Despite the high price, some plastic elements in the interior were hard to overlook, though Cadillac attempted to mitigate their appearance with coatings.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, offered a modern retro design reminiscent of Land Rover vehicles. It featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a body designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's front and rear styling echoed its larger counterpart, with bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate. Wheel options varied by trim, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and there were options to upgrade wheels and tires.

Inside, the Bronco Sport's cabin was rugged yet tasteful, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The cargo area was designed to accommodate active lifestyles, with space for two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a range of accessories for outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine and a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and featured technologies like Dynamic Fuel Management. It delivered a combined fuel efficiency of 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbo-diesel, with 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, offered a combined average of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, providing a smooth and controlled experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands model had a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine producing 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable commuter, with the 2.0-litre engine providing a more satisfying experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's cabin was larger and more functional, thanks to a new independent rear suspension and a longer wheelbase. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats, with ventilated and massaging options available. The second-row offered heated captain's chairs or a bench seat, with improved leg support. The third-row seat was more spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 722 litres behind the third row, expandable to 3,426 litres with all seats folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more space, with up to 4,044 litres of cargo volume.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo area designed to hold two mountain bikes and over 100 accessories for outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers. The seating position could be improved for better off-road visibility.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display for instrumentation and infotainment, offering high pixel density and a wide colour range. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some user experience improvements were needed. The AR navigation system was standard, with directional arrows and Google Street View integration. A 19-speaker AKG sound system was standard, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system. A head-up display was available on all but the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The G.O.A.T. modes offered impressive terrain management, with up to seven drive modes. Trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel and a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. A Safety Alert Seat, Teen Driver technology, and a surround-view camera system were standard. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. An optional Driver Assist Tech Package included adaptive cruise control and rear emergency braking. The Escalade's size contributed to its safety, though some false alarms were noted during testing.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. AWD and a terrain management system enhanced safety. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.