2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased design cues inspired by the Escala concept vehicle, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, the rest of the SUV maintained a familiar look, featuring standard 22-inch wheels, crisp creases along its sides, and tall OLED taillights. The base model started at $76,195, with higher trims like the Premium Luxury and Sport offering more features and luxury, reaching up to $99,995 for the Platinum trim. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, came with a host of features, including a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Performance Package, totaling $102,310.

Inside, the Escalade's cabin was a significant upgrade from its predecessors, offering various leather and wood trim options. The Premium Luxury test vehicle featured Parchment leather with Tamo Ash wood, though the light-colored carpets showed signs of soiling quickly. Despite the high price tag, some plastic elements in the interior were hard to overlook. Overall, the new Escalade's interior was a step above its platform mates, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, justifying its premium price.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround and bumper designs. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding a $1,045 destination charge. Our test vehicle, an A-Spec Advance package, came with Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645.

The RDX A-Spec Advance justified its price with high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior. The new vertical air inlets on the front fascia were a matter of personal taste, but the RDX's overall style remained more distinctive than many competitors. The interior featured comfortable and supportive seats, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. However, the back seat lacked support, and the control layout required some acclimation. The cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was the preferred choice for its sound and performance. It featured direct fuel injection, an automatic stop/start system, and Dynamic Fuel Management technology, achieving an EPA rating of 16 mpg in combined driving. Our test vehicle averaged 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile loop. The turbo-diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, promised better fuel economy, though official estimates were not available.

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 features provided a smoother and more controlled ride, especially in Sport mode. The Escalade handled well on winding roads and was remarkably maneuverable in the city. However, the brake pedal could have offered better modulation. On the freeway, the Escalade excelled, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered quick acceleration, though heavy-footed driving reduced fuel economy from the EPA-rated 23 mpg to an average of 20.6 mpg on our test loop. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, providing smooth shifts, though the new sound-deadening measures made the paddles less enjoyable to use.

Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, with adaptive damping suspension providing a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX's quieter cabin and improved driving dynamics made it a compelling choice, though it still fell short of Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's new independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase resulted in a more spacious and comfortable cabin. Front-seat occupants enjoyed 12-way power-adjustable heated seats, with ventilated and massaging options available in higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and offered improved leg support, while the third-row seat provided ample space for adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more space, with up to 126.6 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample room for four adults and their luggage. The interior featured a sporty design, with a standard panoramic sunroof and a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. The control layout required some acclimation, with transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system being unconventional. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation and a heated steering wheel. However, the back seat lacked support, and the cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, offering greater pixel density than a 4K television. The display included a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen, though switching between views required navigating through menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though we experienced issues with Apple CarPlay. The voice recognition system also had limitations, misinterpreting some commands. The Escalade's AR navigation system and 19-speaker AKG sound system were impressive, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system available. A full-color head-up display was standard on higher trims.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. The system required a learning curve, as it operated differently from traditional touchscreens. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The RDX also featured a 10.5-inch head-up display in higher trims.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. An optional Driver Assist Tech Package included higher-speed emergency braking, rear emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Our test vehicle experienced a couple of false alarms, but overall, the safety systems worked smoothly. Cadillac's Super Cruise technology, offering hands-free driving, was set to be available later in the model year.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and new features like a rear seatbelt reminder system. The standard AcuraWatch suite included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate but had occasional false warnings. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.