2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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 familiar styling elements, including 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 offered maximum luxury at $118,398. The test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim, featured Shadow Metallic paint, a 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system, and several luxury packages, bringing its price to $119,988 Canadian.

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

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a successful design shift for Volvo, maintaining its traditional styling cues while adding character. The XC90 featured a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, softened lines, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription test car, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest of the XC90 trims. The R-Design trim offered a sportier look, while the base Momentum trim was more understated. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, contributing to its car-like crossover nature.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering thoughtfully arranged materials and a natural matte-finish wood trim. The interior featured a wool upholstery option, with Nappa leather also available. The test car included an Orrefors crystal shifter, adding a touch of luxury to the otherwise restrained cabin. The XC90's interior design focused on simplicity and elegance, avoiding overwhelming flashiness.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine and a no-cost 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 direct fuel injection, an automatic stop/start system, and Dynamic Fuel Management technology for improved efficiency. The test vehicle achieved a combined fuel consumption of 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The turbo-diesel engine, 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, thanks to a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension. These enhancements minimized unwanted ride motions, providing a smooth and controlled experience. The Escalade excelled on highways, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, with the V8 operating efficiently. The upcoming Cadillac Super Cruise feature promised to enhance its long-distance cruising capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine, both turbo- and supercharged, delivered 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, achieving 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models in Canada came with standard all-wheel drive.

While the XC90's 400 horsepower was ample, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The plug-in hybrid's electric power was limited, often requiring the gasoline engine's assistance. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only effective at low speeds. Despite these limitations, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, aided by an optional air-suspension system. It provided a quiet and comfortable cabin, with a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a larger and more functional cabin, thanks to its new independent rear suspension and extended wheelbase. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats, with ventilated and massaging options available in higher trims. The second-row offered heated captain’s chairs or a bench seat, with improved leg support. The third-row seat 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 provided even more cargo space.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The interior featured a power sunroof and standard four-zone climate control. The Inscription test car had 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, though storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 included a hands-free power tailgate for convenience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge OLED display spanning 38 inches, offering high pixel density and vibrant colours. The system included a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen with Gauge, AR Camera, and Map displays, though switching between them required navigating menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though some connectivity issues were noted. The Escalade's voice recognition technology had limitations, and physical controls were often preferred. The AR navigation system and AKG sound systems were highlights, with the 36-speaker AKG Reference system providing exceptional audio quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, though some text was difficult to read while driving. The XC90 offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The wireless charging pad had size limitations, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade prioritized safety with its substantial size and comprehensive safety features. It included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile feedback for potential hazards. Additional features included Teen Driver technology, parking assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Premium trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's advanced driving assistance systems generally performed well, though a couple of false alarms were noted during testing.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings, with the non-hybrid models earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" designation. It achieved "Good" scores in crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety.