2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Ford Explorer presented a diverse lineup with eight models, ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, not including a $1,495 destination charge. In 2022, the Explorer lineup grew to include the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, along with the new ST-Line, which added a sporty aesthetic to the popular XLT version.

The King Ranch test vehicle stood out with 4WD, a striking Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, elevating its MSRP to $59,880 including the destination charge. The exterior sported King Ranch emblems on the doors and liftgate, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, although these features did not dramatically differentiate it from other trims.

The Explorer's design, based on a rear-drive platform, allowed for a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and tapering greenhouse, resulting in an athletic aesthetic. The blacked-out roof pillars, except those behind the back doors, created a popular “floating roof” effect reminiscent of previous generations.

Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seats with lasso-perforated inserts, accented by King Ranch branding on the seats and center armrest pad. This interior came only in a chocolate brown over caramel color scheme. While the cabin primarily felt deserving of its near $60,000 price tag, there were occasional lapses in material quality betraying its base trim origins.

Comparatively, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement of size and luxury. The grille, tall hood, LED lights, and sheer dimensions set it apart from other full-size SUVs. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, combined tall vertical running lights with horizontal headlights for a commanding presence. The 22-inch wheels seemed dwarfed by the ample sheet metal.

Different trims—"Luxury" and "Sport"—offered varied exterior finishes, with bright trims for the Luxury and darkened trims including a mesh grille for the Sport. The Escalade's architecture shared roots with GM's full-size SUVs and trucks, akin to the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, but elevated to suit Cadillac's prestige.

Inside, luxury reigned with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a massive panoramic sunroof. Despite the upscale materials, the design lacked a cohesive theme, unlike rivals such as the Lincoln Navigator. Some cheap-looking plastic components detracted from the otherwise plush interior.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a choice of three powertrains. The base models featured a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either RWD or AWD. This powertrain provided up to 24 mpg and a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds.

A hybrid drivetrain, offered in the Limited and optionally in the Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor to generate 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. Offering up to 27 mpg and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, it provided an efficient alternative with RWD or AWD.

For those seeking more power, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 was available in the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. It generated 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,600 pounds but providing only 21 mpg. The King Ranch test vehicle boasted an impressive 20.6 mpg during testing, despite its lesser fuel efficiency compared to the hybrid.

The Explorer stood out for its robust ride and off-road capabilities. The King Ranch, with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, handled moderately challenging terrain with ease, while the Timberline trim offered 8.7 inches of clearance. On regular roads, the Explorer showed athleticism, especially when equipped with the sport-tuned Explorer ST.

Conversely, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrains: a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 generating 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission offering RWD or AWD.

Testing the diesel model revealed smooth power delivery and the advantage of low-end torque, though the gas engine had a slight towing edge (8,200 pounds compared to 8,100 pounds for the diesel). However, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, even with independent rear suspension and optional Magnetic Ride Control dampening. The body-on-frame construction, coupled with 22-inch wheels, contributed to a ride that jiggled over imperfections.

The 2022 Ford Explorer catered well to families, offering ample comfort for four and occasional seating for five with the second-row bench seat option. The rear-drive platform and tapered design made the third row cramped for adults.

The fully-equipped King Ranch included triple-zone climate control, power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The massaging front seats with 14-way power adjustment added to the comfort, though the third-row remained a challenge for adult passengers.

Interior storage was limited with small center console storage and lack of practical pockets or shelves. The cargo space behind the third row measured 18.2 cubic feet, expandable to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row down, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade excelled in interior space, featuring first-row and third-row legroom superior to other full-size luxury SUVs. The Escalade ESV variant stretched to 227 inches for even more room. Accommodations included second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 folding third-row bench.

The Escalade’s cargo capacity was more impressive: 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down. However, the raised center console provided limited loose item storage, and the front seats, although 12-way adjustable with massage features, felt underwhelming compared to the rest of the cabin.

The Ford Explorer offered the Sync 3 infotainment system with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. While the smaller screen integrated well with the interior, the larger screen felt like an afterthought. The King Ranch came with a suite of Sync 3 features including FordPass Connect, WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, wireless charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.

However, the Sync 3 system lagged behind Ford’s newer Sync 4 tech, especially in voice recognition and ease of use. Voice commands often misinterpreted directions and commands, necessitating manual inputs for basic functions.

The Cadillac Escalade, however, shined with a 38-inch curved OLED display consisting of three integrated screens. It included a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. This setup supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, complemented by a well-thought-out dashboard integration.

The Escalade's infotainment system featured a handy arrangement of icons, physical climate controls, and an impressive 360-degree camera system with high-resolution displays. Additional tech included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation, though some controls like the rotary controller felt secondary. A 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system added audio depth, though it required precise tuning.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS across all trims, demonstrating its robust safety credentials. While the NHTSA hadn’t completed 2022 ratings, the previous year’s five-star ratings underscored its safety, with only a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360’s suite with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features in the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist to enhance driver control in emergencies. The Explorer’s post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable functions added extra layers of safety.

The Cadillac Escalade also provided extensive safety features, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. These worked in conjunction with the Safety Alert Seat's vibrating warnings.

Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring with trailer blind-spot monitoring. Super Cruise, an advanced hands-free driving system, was available at a premium on most trims. It enabled automated lane changes and hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, with a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. Super Cruise impressed with its smooth performance and utility on large vehicles like the Escalade.

However, both the IIHS and NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the Escalade, leaving a gap in verified safety performance.