2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning well with Volvo's current lineup through features like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof. The electric XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these differences, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to those who preferred a subtle electric vehicle. The interior was minimalist yet premium, featuring real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, with a coherent design that integrated elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen seamlessly.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size, featuring a grille and LED lights scaled to match its bulk. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, and distinct styling elements set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trims for sport and luxury models, with bright or darkened exterior trims. Built on a body-on-frame architecture shared with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade's interior boasted luxury features like leather upholstery and wood trim, though it lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite its spaciousness, the interior included some cheap-looking plastic bits, and the ride quality was less refined compared to rivals.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. Gasoline models featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from dual electric motors, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All models were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The Recharge emphasized comfort and quietness, offering one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade provided two powertrain options: a 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, offered smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, aiding in acceleration. The gasoline engine had a towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms, slightly more than the diesel. However, the Escalade's ride quality was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less luxurious experience compared to unibody SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and electric versions, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with limited legroom and a small cargo area. Clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin and large door bins, partially compensated for the lack of space. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, boasted a cavernous cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with standard second-row captain’s chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, offering 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 provided limited storage space, and the front seats felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The gasoline models continued with the previous infotainment system, and the Recharge lacked a start button, simplifying the driving experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade showcased 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 trip-computer screen. The display blended seamlessly with the dashboard, featuring diagonally arranged icons for functionality. While the display was impressive, 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 vehicle offered advanced tech features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with the gasoline model earning a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assistance technology like cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system for hands-free highway driving. Super Cruise impressed with its smooth responses and safety measures, though the Escalade lacked published safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.