2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Honda CR-V, like many compact crossovers, presented a design that was largely indistinguishable from its competitors. Its styling was characterized by a similar "daylight opening" shape seen across the segment, with only minor details like the grille and chromed plastic features setting it apart. Colour options were limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, making it challenging to find more vibrant hues like Radiant Red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that improved with higher trims, though it faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinctive styling elements. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood and vertical running lights, while the massive grille and LED lights emphasized its bulk. The Escalade's design was unique among GM's full-size SUVs, with different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models. Despite sharing its architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade stood out with its luxurious touches, though it lacked a cohesive interior design theme compared to competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-speed thrills but rather for smooth and steady driving. It featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup provided adequate acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds, and offered predictable handling. While the CR-V's drivetrain was competent, it lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions, such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims, and featured a unitized body structure with MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 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 diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the Escalade's ride quality was less refined, with a body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to an unsettled ride. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator's, and it lacked off-road capabilities compared to some GM cousins.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options, and most trims included roof rails for additional cargo-carrying capability.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a spacious cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among luxury SUVs. It featured standard second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat, with a power-folding second-row bench available as an option. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, offering 722 litres with all seats in place and up to 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the interior had some functionality issues, such as limited storage space in the centre console and seats that felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying speaker setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt audio system with a subwoofer. The CR-V also included multiple charging ports, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens for a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen, and trip-computer functions. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with functional icon arrangements and physical toggles for climate control. However, some features, like the radio station carousel and rotary controller, were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and it offered advanced tech features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included standard safety features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, 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, the Escalade lacked published safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.