2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 Premium Luxury and Sport priced at $99,898. The Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims, offering maximum luxury, were priced at $118,398. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with 4WD, included features like a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Driver Assist Tech Package, bringing the total to $119,988 Canadian.

Inside, the Escalade's cabin was a testament to luxury, with various leather and wood trim options. The Premium Luxury test vehicle featured Parchment leather with Tamo Ash wood, though the light-coloured carpets showed signs of wear. Despite the high price tag, some plastic elements in the interior were hard to overlook. Nevertheless, the Escalade's interior was a significant step up from its predecessors, offering a more justified price premium compared to its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, with its distinctive design, required an acclimation period for some. Its blunt and bulbous nose, along with black windshield pillars, gave it a unique look. The Highlander Hybrid was available in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims, with Canadian pricing ranging from $45,950 to $56,450. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with AWD, included features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a surround-view camera system, totaling $59,082 Canadian.

Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered a two-tone interior with leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The cabin was comfortable, though the third-row seat was cramped and lacked support. Storage was adequate, but some design choices, like the placement of the wireless charger, were less than ideal. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,387 litres with seats folded. Despite its quirks, the Highlander Hybrid provided a comfortable and efficient ride.

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, delivering robust acceleration. It featured Dynamic Fuel Management technology, allowing it to operate on as few as two cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. Our test vehicle averaged 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbo-diesel option, with 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, promised better fuel efficiency at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved, thanks to a new independent rear suspension and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers. The 4-Corner Air Ride suspension further enhanced comfort, minimizing unwanted body motions. The Escalade excelled on highways, offering a smooth and quiet ride, and its maneuverability was impressive for its size. However, the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 243 horsepower. It used an E-CVT to mimic an automatic transmission, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 6.7 L/100 km. Our test vehicle averaged 7.4 L/100 km, slightly below expectations. While efficient, the Highlander Hybrid's performance was lackluster, with adequate power but a strained engine sound during acceleration. The steering was lifeless, and the ride was soft, resulting in unwanted body movement.

On smooth roads, the Highlander Hybrid handled well, but on uneven surfaces, it struggled. Around town, the electric motor torque and EV Mode were highlights, providing a quiet and comfortable ride. However, the driving experience was not enjoyable, and motion sickness could be an issue for some passengers.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's interior was a highlight, with a larger and more useful cabin thanks to a new independent rear suspension. The longer wheelbase and lower floor improved passenger comfort and cargo capacity. Front seats offered 12-way power adjustment, with ventilated and massaging options available. Heated second-row captain's chairs were standard, and the third-row seat was now comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 722 litres behind the third row and up to 3,426 litres with seats folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more room.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, and the third-row seat was cramped and uncomfortable. Storage was adequate, but some design choices, like the wireless charger placement, were less than ideal. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,387 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display for instrumentation and infotainment, offering greater pixel density than a 4K TV. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some user experience improvements were needed. The AR navigation system was impressive, and the 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system delivered exceptional audio quality. A head-up display was standard on most trims, providing valuable information.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, JBL premium audio, and a head-up display. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. The JBL sound system offered 1,200 watts of power but required adjustments for optimal sound quality. Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice to rear passengers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat buzzed the driver when hazards were detected. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package included adaptive cruise control and higher-speed emergency braking. However, there were a couple of false alarms during testing. The Escalade's size also contributed to its safety.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, with automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane departure with steering assist. New for 2021 were intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance had some quirks, but the Highlander earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.