2021 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of six trims, each with distinct styling elements. The base LS and LT trims featured unique grille patterns, while the RST trim boasted a sporty blacked-out appearance with a slotted grille and 22-inch wheels. The Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, incorporating a rugged front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, while the High Country trim exuded luxury with a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille and standard LED headlights, with a more expressive rear featuring quad-outlet dual exhausts. Despite its slab-sided appearance, larger wheels enhanced its overall look. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the base LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim we tested priced at $80,293, including various option packages.

Inside, the Tahoe's interior was centred around a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, which improved storage capacity but compromised control layout. The LS trim featured cloth seats, while leather became standard from the LT trim onwards. The Premier and High Country trims offered perforated leather options. The Z71 trim we tested showcased quality materials, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while hard plastic covered the lower half. The Tahoe's interior execution met expectations for its segment, providing a comfortable and functional space for passengers.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinct styling. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood, vertical running lights, and horizontal headlights. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against its vast sheet metal. The SUV offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright exterior trim for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims and darkened trim for the Sport trim. Sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal despite its truck-like underpinnings.

Inside, the Escalade's interior was spacious, offering the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. It featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though it lacked a cohesive design theme. The raised centre console provided limited storage space, and while the front seats offered power adjustability and massage functions, they felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 3,426 litres with rear seats folded. Despite its spaciousness, the Escalade's ride quality was unsettled, with vibrations and pitching affecting comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options, starting with a 5.3-litre V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, standard in all trims except the High Country. The High Country featured a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms. The independent rear suspension, along with adaptive damping and air suspension options, significantly improved ride quality, making the Tahoe Z71 smooth on various terrains. The 5.3-litre V8 engine, coupled with the 10-speed transmission, provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble, while Dynamic Fuel Management technology improved fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Escalade's diesel engine impressed with smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it effective for city driving. However, the brake pedal felt hard, affecting confidence. The gasoline engine had a slight towing advantage, with a capacity of 3,629 kilograms, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's towing capability. Despite its independent rear suspension and available air suspension, the Escalade's ride quality was unsettled, with vibrations affecting comfort. The Escalade lacked off-road capability compared to its GM cousins, making it less suitable for rugged adventures.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, providing improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered convenient storage options, while the second row provided a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs. The third-row seat was more spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe's cargo capacity was impressive, with 722 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 3,480 litres with all seats folded. These figures surpassed most full-size SUVs, except for longer-wheelbase models like the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition MAX.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious interior. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among luxury SUVs, with second-row captain's chairs and a power-folding third-row bench seat as standard. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 3,426 litres with rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and while the front seats offered power adjustability and massage functions, they felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Despite its spaciousness, the Escalade's ride quality was unsettled, with vibrations affecting comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, accurately responding to test prompts. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it wasn't fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an available 15-inch head-up display for convenient data reference.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with functional icon arrangement. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard, though tuning proved challenging.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came equipped with standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Tahoe's driving-assistance features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. The available surround-view camera system was recommended for maneuvering in tight spaces. As of the review, crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and trailer blind-spot monitoring. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, providing hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. Super Cruise impressed with smooth responses, though it occasionally disengaged unexpectedly. The Escalade's safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not published at the time of review.