2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling, characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, maintained the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a ruggedness with its blistered fender swells and bold lower body cladding. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. The standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch alloy wheels, contributed to its appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year brought exclusive features like all-terrain tires and a roof-mounted load platform, enhancing its adventurous persona.

Inside, the CX-50 continued Mazda's tradition of driver-focused design with quality materials and polished metallic trim. The interior, dressed in black leather with caramel-coloured stitching, offered a mix of analog and digital gauges. While the vertical air vents and dashboard design were mostly cohesive, the off-centre vent seemed like an afterthought. Despite this, the CX-50's interior was a testament to Mazda's commitment to style and functionality, making it a good-looking compact crossover.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, on the other hand, was a behemoth of luxury and space. Standing nearly two metres tall and requiring significant length to park, the Escalade was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and advanced technology. The standard Escalade was already impressive, but the Escalade ESV extended the wheelbase by 38 centimetres, offering even more space. The Escalade's design was meant for show, appealing to a diverse range of buyers from pop musicians to large families. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim, masking its mass and enhancing its handsome SUV persona.

Inside, the Escalade's first row exuded luxury with a 38-inch curved screen array and seven choices of wood trim. While the base Luxury trim featured leatherette upholstery, higher trims offered a variety of leather combinations with intricate details. However, the allure faded in the second and third rows, where parts from cheaper GM vehicles were evident. Despite this, the Escalade's driver space was rich and fancy, though the rest of the cabin deserved more luxury treatment. Cadillac acknowledged these shortcomings, hinting at improvements in future models like the 2023 Lyriq.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, catering to different buyer preferences. The base engine, a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder, provided 186 lb-ft of torque and was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It delivered a fuel economy of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power, the CX-50 GT Turbo trim featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel type. Torque varied from 310 lb-ft on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft on 93-octane. The turbo engine also increased towing capacity from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. Despite a slightly firmer ride quality, the CX-50 offered smooth acceleration and a driving experience reminiscent of a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, in contrast, was equipped with a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. While it excelled in towing up to 3,629 kilograms, its acceleration felt heavy. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed adequately, but the powertrain seemed reluctant in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, though it felt excessive. Cadillac also offered a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel V6, which provided smooth torque delivery and better fuel economy at 10.5 L/100 km combined. The Escalade's 4WD system was more rudimentary, but its magnetic ride control dampers and optional air suspension enhanced maneuverability and ride comfort.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior was well-equipped for comfort, featuring power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control added to the cabin's comfort. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long drives, though more side bolstering would have been beneficial. The back seat offered ample space for adults, and the rear doors opened wide for easy access. Cargo space was adequate, with 889 litres behind the rear seats and 1,595 litres with the seats folded. However, storage options were limited, and the load floor was narrow between the wheel wells.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 722 litres of cargo space 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 allowed for generous headroom and legroom in every row, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were intuitive, with a smart and fast infotainment system. An optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience, while the air suspension eased loading and unloading. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustment, which was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch display was standard, but the lack of touchscreen control for Mazda Connect was a drawback. Mazda offered touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the screen's distant placement was inconvenient. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience, and the Active Driving Display projected useful data within the driver's line of sight.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a tech powerhouse, featuring a vast array of OLED screens across the dash. The front camera displayed a high-res feed of the road, enhancing navigation. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability were standard. Super Cruise, an optional hands-free highway driving system, was a standout feature, offering advanced driver assistance. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system, providing an immersive audio experience. The front seats offered massage functions, and the rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance. The NHTSA had not rated the CX-50 at the time of writing. Mazda provided a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual intervention.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received 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, and more. Reverse emergency braking was optional but occasionally triggered false stops. Night Vision and Super Cruise were also available as optional features.