2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level added a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and a suite of packages, bringing the MSRP in Canada to $44,757. Despite the upscale appearance, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations for its price range, with some design choices, like the pushbutton transmission controls, proving less intuitive.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinct styling elements, such as a massive grille and LED lights. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against its vast body. It offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, and shared its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs. The interior, while luxurious with leather upholstery and wood trim, lacked a cohesive design theme and included some cheap-looking plastic bits. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade's presence and luxury features set it apart from its GM siblings.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered decent performance, though it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-litre engine. The Terrain's AWD system provided versatility, with modes for FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Hill Descent Control. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, and the AT4's off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip. Fuel economy was a strong point, with ratings of 9.6 L/100 km city, 8.3 highway, and 9.0 combined.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD in Canada. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it enjoyable to drive. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator's, and its ride quality was less refined due to its body-on-frame construction and large wheels. Despite these drawbacks, the Escalade's performance was impressive for its size.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching, adding an upscale touch. The back seat provided ample legroom and comfort, while the cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. The Terrain's interior included numerous storage solutions, though some were less practical, like the narrow storage tray.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, boasted a cavernous cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. It offered second-row captain's chairs and a power-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, 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 seats, while adjustable, felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Cadillac did include useful features like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured two infotainment systems, with the SLE trim offering a 7-inch touchscreen and the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also included a head-up display, park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

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 screen for trip-computer functions. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. 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 additional features included night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and trailer blind-spot monitoring. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, the IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for this model year.