2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade drew inspiration from Cadillac's concept vehicles, notably the Escala, which influenced its redesigned front. However, the rest of the Escalade maintained a familiar aesthetic, featuring standard 22-inch wheels, crisp side creases, and vertical OLED taillights. The Escalade's pricing started at just over $90,000 Canadian for the 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. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim, included features like a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Driver Assist Tech Package, bringing its price to $119,988 Canadian.

Inside, the Escalade's cabin was a step above its predecessors, offering various leather options and wood trims. The Premium Luxury model featured Parchment leather with Tamo Ash wood, though the light-coloured carpets showed wear quickly. Despite its high price, some plastic elements in the interior were disappointing. Overall, the Escalade justified its premium over similar models like the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country and GMC Yukon Denali, especially with its luxurious cabin.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that echoed the larger Range Rover's profile in a sportier package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature grille were unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's design included subtle adjustments, such as a sloping roof and flush door handles, contributing to its streamlined appearance. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Our test car, a base Velar S with the Black Exterior Pack and 20-inch black wheels, looked sharp against its Fuji White paint.

Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black centre stack. The base trim featured lower-grade leather and synthetic materials, but the fit and finish were exemplary. The three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and sophisticated layouts. Upper trims provided additional luxury with extra leather and richer textures. Despite its base trim, the Velar maintained a sense of luxury and style.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine and a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six. The V8, with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivered robust performance through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It featured technologies like Dynamic Fuel Management and an automatic stop/start system for improved efficiency, achieving 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The turbo-diesel, producing 277 horsepower, offered the same torque as the V8 but with better fuel economy at 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. These enhancements provided a smoother, more controlled ride, especially in Sport mode. The Escalade excelled on highways, offering a quiet and comfortable experience, with the upcoming Super Cruise feature promising even more appeal for long-distance travel.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering. Its lower centre of gravity and lighter weight enhanced cornering and braking. The optional electronic air suspension offered a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The base engine, a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower, provided average performance, while the optional 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system delivered 335 to 395 horsepower, depending on the trim.

The Velar's Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The mild-hybrid setup improved fuel efficiency and performance, though a V8 option was no longer available. The Velar's powertrain options catered to luxury buyers seeking high performance with reduced emissions.

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 was now comfortable for adults, with increased legroom and support.

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 space, with up to 4,044 litres of cargo volume. The Escalade's interior improvements made it a versatile choice for carrying passengers and cargo.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its design. Cargo space was modest, with 552 litres behind the rear seats and 1,358 litres with seats folded. The Velar's stylish exterior came at the cost of practicality.

The Velar's interior design had some drawbacks, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, replaced by a multifunction P button. The new shifter design also obstructed volume and climate controls. Despite these issues, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the cabin featured high-quality materials and a sleek design.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge OLED display spanning 38 inches, offering high pixel density and vibrant colours. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some connectivity issues were noted. The Escalade's voice recognition technology had limitations, but the AR navigation system impressed with its directional turn arrows and Google Street View integration.

The Escalade's sound system options included a standard 19-speaker AKG system and an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system, both delivering exceptional audio quality. A full-colour head-up display provided essential information, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system offered a simplified layout with customizable features. Voice activation, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation features were highlights. The Velar's instrument panel allowed for various display configurations, though its driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors.

Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian sound system. The Velar's technology package provided a modern and user-friendly experience, despite some limitations in driving assist features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile feedback for potential hazards. Additional safety technologies included Teen Driver, parking assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and rear emergency braking.

The Escalade's size contributed to its safety, though some false alarms occurred during testing. The upcoming Super Cruise feature promised enhanced autonomous driving capabilities.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, though U.S. ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.