2022 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, the Escalade maintained a familiar aesthetic, featuring standard 22-inch wheels, sharp creases along its body, and tall OLED taillights that extended into the roofline. The Escalade's interior was a blend of luxury and practicality, with various trims offering leather upholstery and wood trims. The Premium Luxury trim, tested with Parchment leather and Tamo Ash wood, provided a sophisticated look, though the light-coloured carpets showed signs of wear early on. Despite its high price, some interior materials, like the plastic lower dashboard, were less than premium.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness took the Outback's rugged appeal to new heights, literally and figuratively. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it resembled a Jeep more than a traditional station wagon. The Wilderness model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, unique grille design, and blacked-out trim with Anodized Copper accents. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior also included Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats, making it both functional and stylish for adventurous outings.

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 and a satisfying engine note. The turbo-diesel, while less powerful at 277 horsepower, matched the V8's torque and offered better fuel efficiency, with a combined average of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres. The Escalade's ride quality was significantly improved with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, providing a smooth and controlled driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for the midsize SUV, though the CVT's droning detracted from the driving experience. The Wilderness trim featured all-wheel drive, 23 cm of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The vehicle's approach, breakover, and departure angles were improved, and the dual-function X-Mode traction system allowed for confident off-road driving. On pavement, the Wilderness felt quick but was limited by its tires, while off-road, it excelled in challenging terrain.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a larger and more versatile cabin, thanks to its independent rear suspension and extended wheelbase. Front-seat occupants enjoyed heated and ventilated seats, with massaging seats available in Platinum trim. The second-row offered heated captain's chairs or a bench seat, while the third-row provided ample legroom and comfort for adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 722 litres behind the third row, expanding 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 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous head and legroom, along with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded. The Wilderness also featured a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a 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 Escalade featured a 19-speaker AKG premium sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system. The AR navigation system and voice amplification for passengers were notable features, though voice recognition technology had room for improvement.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and offering physical knobs for volume and tuning. While the voice recognition technology required learning specific prompts, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better voice assistant functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was surprising given its target demographic.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package included higher-speed forward emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's size and weight contributed to its safety, though some false alarms were noted during testing.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.