2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive front-end appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling was further accentuated by black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the presence of 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid offered a two-tone interior with soft leather for the Limited and Platinum trims, though the dashboard's asymmetrical design and glossy black detailing could suffer from reflections. The mix of illumination colours in the gauges also contributed to a somewhat busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong impression with its unapologetically massive size and distinctive styling elements. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against the 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 model. Inside, the Escalade's interior featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme. While the materials were generally nice, some cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. The new engine delivered a total output of 243 horsepower and was rated to use 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving. Despite the efficiency gains, the Highlander Hybrid's performance was less thrilling, with adequate power for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but a strained and noisy engine under hard acceleration. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement, though regenerative brakes performed well. On smooth roads, the SUV handled capably, but on uneven surfaces, it became less composed. Around town, the electric motor torque and EV Mode showcased the Highlander Hybrid's strengths, but overall, it lacked driving enjoyment.

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 4WD in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it effective for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less luxurious feel compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator's, and it lacked off-road capability compared to some GM cousins.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver and heated and ventilated front seats. The test vehicle featured a no-cost bench seat option, increasing seating capacity to eight, though the second row felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. Storage was adequate but not as generous as the previous generation, with some design choices limiting accessibility.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious 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. Cargo space was impressive, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and while the front seats offered power adjustment and massage features, they felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. However, the JBL sound system's performance varied depending on music type. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view. The driver information display offered detailed data and settings adjustments.

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 trip-computer screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with diagonally arranged icons for easy navigation. 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 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure with steering assist. Intersection support and emergency steering assistance were new additions. The adaptive cruise control occasionally felt uneven, and the lane-centring assistance system was overly sensitive. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact crash tests earned four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assistance technology such as cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. Super Cruise impressed with its smooth responses, though it occasionally disengaged unexpectedly. The Escalade's safety ratings were not published by the IIHS or NHTSA for this model year.