2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its grand proportions, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, gave the impression of a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's styling set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The 22-inch wheels seemed small against the vast expanse of sheet metal. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright exterior trim for Luxury and Premium Luxury models and darkened trim for the Sport model. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, similar to the Lincoln Navigator. Inside, the Escalade featured luxury materials like leather upholstery and wood trim, but lacked a cohesive design theme, with some cheap-looking plastic bits detracting from its overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX presented subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. The updates included modifications to the grille surround, front and rear bumper styling, and new wheel designs and paint colours. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with starting prices ranging from $45,800 to $61,500. The A-Spec Platinum Elite package, priced at $60,375, offered high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. While the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia were not universally loved, the RDX maintained a stylish flair compared to its rivals.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet 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 lower torque peak, making it advantageous for pulling away from stops. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its 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, and it lacked off-road capabilities found in some GM cousins.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine's quick spool-up contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving character, though fuel consumption was higher than its rating. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system provided excellent torque-vectoring capabilities. The RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, and the adaptive-damping suspension provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX's quieter ride and improved driving dynamics made it a compelling choice, though it didn't qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a cavernous cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. The standard Escalade measured 5,382 mm, while the extended ESV version was 384 mm longer. 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 limited storage space, and the front seats, though adjustable, felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing functionality.

The 2022 Acura RDX, a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position, though the control layout required a learning curve. The RDX featured comfortable 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, with available ventilation. The back seat, while spacious, lacked support, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX offered a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, revealing 835 litres of cargo space and hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor. Folding the back seat created 1,668 litres of cargo area.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted 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 screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were less user-friendly. 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 standard 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, though impressive, was challenging to tune.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display screen with a touchpad controller. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen required acclimation, though Amazon Alexa Built-in offered natural voice recognition, reducing reliance on the TTI. The RDX included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an available wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The A-Spec Platinum Elite trim included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including 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, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. While the system impressed with its smooth responses, the Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhanced AcuraWatch driver-assist systems. The RDX's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were reasonably refined, though not as sophisticated as some rivals. The NHTSA awarded the RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.