2021 Subaru Outback 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 retained a familiar styling, featuring crisp creases and tall OLED taillights. The Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels, a first for the model, and offered a range of trims from the base Luxury to the opulent Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum. The interior of the Escalade was a blend of luxury and practicality, with various leather and wood trim options. Despite its high price tag, some interior elements, like the plastic lower dashboard, were less impressive.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback maintained a sense of familiarity with its design, reminiscent of older models but with a fresher interior. The Outback's cabin was practical, with a large 11.6-inch touchscreen on higher trims, offering a modern interface. The interior quality was a step up from previous models, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant upholstery, adding durability. The Outback's exterior was functional, with high ground clearance and protective cladding, making it suitable for off-road adventures. Its design was understated yet practical, with features like adaptive LED headlights and a new paint option for 2021.

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 technologies like Dynamic Fuel Management and an automatic stop/start system to enhance fuel efficiency, achieving a combined consumption of 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbo-diesel, with 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, offered better fuel economy at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Escalade's ride quality was significantly improved with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, ensuring a smooth and controlled drive.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. The XT trims offered a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The turbo engine was quieter and more refined, with fuel consumption estimates of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres city and 7.9 highway. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance, making it capable off-road. Subaru's AWD system provided excellent traction, with features like X-Mode for challenging conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a larger and more versatile cabin, thanks to its new independent rear suspension and extended wheelbase. Front-seat occupants enjoyed comfortable, power-adjustable seats with available ventilation and massage functions. The second-row offered heated captain's chairs or a bench seat, with improved leg support. The third-row was notably 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 cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing maximum storage.

The 2021 Subaru Outback provided ample interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of obstructions. The Outback's seating was comfortable, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage solutions were abundant, with map pockets, bottle holders, and a practical centre console. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails with crossbars, offering convenient and cost-effective roof storage.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge 38-inch curved OLED display, offering high pixel density and vibrant colours. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some user experience improvements were needed. The AR navigation system was a highlight, providing real-time directional guidance. A 19-speaker AKG sound system was standard, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system. The Escalade's technology suite included a head-up display and voice recognition, though the latter had some limitations.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated compared to competitors. It offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, affecting performance in certain conditions. The Outback's technology was practical but lacked the sophistication of the Escalade's offerings.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. It also offered Teen Driver technology, parking assist sensors, and a surround-view camera. Premium trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's size contributed to its safety, though some advanced systems experienced occasional false alarms.

The 2021 Subaru Outback earned top safety ratings, including an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star NHTSA rating. It featured a strong chassis, standard airbags, and driver-assist technologies like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. The Outback's safety credentials were impressive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers.