2023 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing presence. Its massive size was unapologetically highlighted by a large grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like design, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The Escalade offered different styling elements for its "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened accents. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior design lacked a cohesive theme. While it boasted leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, the presence of cheap-looking plastic bits detracted from its overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza presented a sleek and sculpted design, distinguishing itself from the typical boxy midsize crossovers. Its tapered rear roofline and harmonious curves gave it a Lexus-like appearance, setting it apart from other Toyota models. The Venza's interior borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the cabin with higher-quality materials and details. The climate-control panel featured integrated buttons instead of large dials, and the soft-touch surfaces added a touch of luxury. The Venza's design was cohesive and graceful, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup, alongside the new Prius.

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 a standard four-wheel-drive system in Canada. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and excelled in low-end torque, making it a capable performer. However, the Escalade's ride quality was less refined, with an unsettled feel and vibrations transmitted through the cabin. Its towing capacity reached up to 3,629 kilograms with the gasoline engine, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's capacity. The Escalade lacked off-road capabilities compared to its GM cousins, making it less suitable for adventurous outings.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system included electric motor/generators and a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack. Power was delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels, with a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels for standard all-wheel drive. The Venza's acceleration was smooth, with the electric motors providing initial thrust before the gasoline engine seamlessly joined in. It reached 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, offering a smooth and compliant ride. However, its steering lacked precision and feedback, and its maneuverability was limited, requiring multiple-point turns in tight spaces.

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, although the Lincoln Navigator provided more second-row headroom. The Escalade's cargo capacity was impressive, with 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, while adjustable, lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle. Cadillac did include dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing comfort.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample front-seat space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof, standard on the Limited trim, offered an opaque feature, adding a touch of luxury. While outward visibility was excellent, the rear visibility was limited, typical for SUVs. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, with sufficient legroom and foot room. However, the Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 816 litres, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an elaborate 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens. The 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster was flanked by a 16.9-inch touchscreen and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, were standard. The display seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged for functionality. 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 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, while impressive, was challenging to tune.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE and Limited trims offered a larger 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics and quick responses, improving upon previous Toyota systems. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, providing virtual navigation assistance. The base audio system featured six speakers and satellite radio, while the XLE and Limited models boasted a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, offering enhanced sound quality.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Safety Alert Seat provided warnings through vibrations. 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. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure assist. The XLE trim added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Limited trim included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror. The safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported.