2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood as a towering presence, nearly two metres above the ground, with a length that demanded between five and a half to six metres for parking. It was a motorized cargo container, boasting three rows of leather seats and an array of computers that rivalled a command centre. The Escalade ESV version extended 38 centimetres longer, primarily stretching the wheelbase. This SUV was designed for show, appealing to pop musicians, overzealous parents, wannabe federal agents, or boaters with large families. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits, masking its mass. The interior exuded luxury with a 38-inch curved screen dashboard and fine wood inlays, though some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from its premium feel.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander and other Toyota models. It was not a body-on-frame vehicle, limiting its towing capacity to 2,268 kilograms. The Grand Highlander stretched 5,115 millimetres in length, offering a spacious interior. Its design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. Toyota offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with varying levels of luxury. The interior featured black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE trim, with real leather available on higher trims. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless fit and finish.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. While it provided ample power for towing up to 3,629 kilograms, its acceleration felt heavy. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed adequately, but the powertrain seemed to struggle in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration issues with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac also offered a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel V6, providing better fuel economy at 10.5 L/100 km. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, with a centre differential locking torque 50:50 front to rear. Its magnetic ride control dampers and optional air suspension improved manoeuvrability, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-litre hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined net horsepower. All powertrains came with AWD in Canada. The Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration, achieving zero-to-60 in 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was larger than its smaller counterpart, making it less manoeuvrable in tight spaces. While it didn't exhibit excessive body roll, the steering felt numb and disconnected. The brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. Toyota provided three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 722 litres behind the third row, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,426 litres with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, maxing out at 4,044 litres. The independent rear suspension contributed to generous headroom and legroom in every row. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast interface. An optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, offering a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. With seats in position, it provided 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander was comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row. Its big greenhouse offered good outward visibility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. A front camera displayed a high-res feed of the road, overlaying directional arrows and street names. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a head-up display, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability were standard. Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, was a standout feature, offering advanced capabilities. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant, available via a connected-services subscription, responded to voice commands. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Reverse emergency braking was optional but had issues with false stops. Night Vision and Super Cruise were also optional.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested or rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was standard.