2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a design heavily influenced by the Escala concept, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, from the side and rear, it maintained 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, came with a host of features, including a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Performance Upgrade Package, bringing its price to $119,988 Canadian. The Escalade was praised for its luxurious interior, with various leather and wood trim options, though some plastic elements were noted as less premium.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its age, retained a timeless design that balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its wide stance and flared fenders contributed to its appealing look. The Grand Cherokee lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, tested here, featured a 5.7-litre V8 engine and a luxurious interior with premium leather and wood accents. The Grand Cherokee's interior, while luxurious, showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. However, it offered a comfortable and stylish cabin with quilted leather seats and a wood-and-leather steering wheel.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine and an optional 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing robust acceleration. It featured Dynamic Fuel Management technology for improved efficiency, achieving 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbo-diesel engine produced 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, with a combined fuel consumption 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, offering a smooth and controlled ride.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine, paired with Quadra-Trac II 4WD, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, achieving 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management. The Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 10.4 cm of variability, enhancing off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee was responsive and quiet, though the V8 consumed more fuel in city driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a larger and more functional cabin, thanks to its new independent rear suspension and 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 provided ample space for adults, a significant improvement over the previous model. 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 cargo space.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a heated steering wheel. Front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though controls were embedded in the infotainment system. Rear-seat legroom was somewhat snug, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof added a sense of space. Cargo capacity was 1,028 litres behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,934 litres with the second row folded. The Grand Cherokee offered practical storage solutions, though the rear-seat entertainment system limited console space.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge 38-inch curved OLED display for instrumentation and infotainment, offering high pixel density and vibrant colours. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some user experience improvements were needed. The AR navigation system superimposed directional arrows on the camera view, and a 19-speaker AKG sound system was standard. The optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system provided exceptional audio quality. A head-up display was standard on most trims, offering clear visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system offered a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, allowing control of various features. The Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering impressive sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee's technology was more basic compared to the Escalade, it provided essential features and a reliable infotainment system.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. A Safety Alert Seat buzzed the driver when hazards were detected. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package included adaptive cruise control and rear emergency braking. The Escalade's size contributed to its safety, though there were occasional false alarms with the ADAS.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA with 4WD, but its IIHS ratings were less favourable, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system helped with parking, though it was best used in low-traffic environments.