2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong first impression with its unapologetic size and distinct styling elements. The grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled up to match the Escalade’s size, with the taillights vaguely recalling classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood, vertical running lights, and horizontal headlights, resembled a diesel locomotive. The various styling elements emphasized the vehicle’s bulk, and the 22-inch wheels looked tiny compared to the vast expanse of sheet metal. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for “sport” and “luxury” models, with bright exterior trim and wheels for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, and darkened trim, including a mesh grille, for the Sport trim. The Escalade shared its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, which may not seem ideal for a luxury vehicle but has been successful over the years. The interior featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a massive panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme and included some cheap-looking plastic bits.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission combination provided smooth, effortless power, and the engine’s variable cylinder management technology helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy and icy regions. However, Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey’s ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience, with perfectly weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, did not withstand much abuse, heating up and suffering fade during a heatwave test.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a $100 optional Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive drivetrains. The test vehicle featured the diesel engine, which provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak of 1,500 rpm, making it an asset when pulling away from a stop. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly more than the diesel’s 8,100 pounds. The Escalade’s ride was unsettled, with the body never feeling settled and vibrational waves sent through the cabin on imperfect pavement. The Escalade lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins and was at a disadvantage in comfort and composure compared to unibody SUVs like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Range Rover.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, providing comfort with inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for various seating modes, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults with ease. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and a maximum volume of 144.9 cubic feet. However, the second-row seats needed to be physically removed to use the maximum cargo volume, which was not particularly enjoyable.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, offering a cavernous cabin. The standard Escalade measured 211.9 inches long, while the extended ESV was 227 inches long. The Escalade offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. Cargo space was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console provided limited storage space, and the 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage and lumbar support felt like they could have come from one of the Escalade’s GM cousins. Cadillac did get some details right, including dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors for the side-window glass.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system in Touring and Elite trims included a 10.2-inch screen, a Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display blended seamlessly with the dashboard, and the touchscreen’s icons were arranged to fit its shape. Physical toggles for climate control and other functions were retained. The Escalade also offered a 360-degree camera system, a rearview camera mirror, night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were awkward to use, and the sound system was difficult to tune properly.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features for 2021, with Honda Sensing now standard on all trims. Honda Sensing included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS and had top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could apply uneven braking and had a wobbly lane-departure warning system.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assist tech, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Premium Luxury and higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims and above. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was a $2,500 option on most trims. Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera to check for distraction. The Escalade’s safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.