2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, giving it a more robust appearance with new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. This update shifted the Pacifica's aesthetic from elegance to a more muscular look. Despite these changes, the van retained some of its original sophistication, particularly noticeable as one moves from the front to the sides and rear. The rear features a new all-LED taillamp that spans the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge prominently displayed at its centre. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents to the exterior.

Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, catered to luxury-minded customers with features like quilted Nappa leather seats, suede centre row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The interior boasted a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, complemented by Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds. The Pacifica's doors had a solid, well-weighted feel, and the vehicle's sound-deadening technology effectively minimized road and engine noise.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive styling. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood, vertical running lights, and horizontal headlights. The Escalade's design elements emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against the vast expanse of 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 model.

Inside, the Escalade's interior was luxurious but lacked a cohesive design theme. It featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but also included some cheap-looking plastic bits. The Escalade's cabin was spacious, offering the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. However, the raised centre console provided limited storage space, and the seats, while adjustable, felt similar to those in other GM vehicles. Despite these issues, Cadillac paid attention to important details, such as dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved fuel efficiency ratings of 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, while the hybrid used 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel-drive drivetrain in Canada. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms, slightly more than the diesel's 3,529 kilograms. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a padded centre console lid for a sense of togetherness. It featured rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats for flexible storage options. The Pacifica's cargo area was generous, with best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres. The second- and third-row seats provided ample legroom, and the under-console storage for second-row passengers was a practical addition.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the seats felt similar to those in other GM vehicles.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern and customizable interface. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard, with an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system. The Pacifica offered a range of sound system upgrades, including a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Escalade's display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. 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 it offered advanced features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with up to 116 standard or available safety features, including automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera were available on higher trims. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assistance technology such as cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.