2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more affordable option for those seeking an electrified SUV, with a base price of $48,909, including destination and other fees. Its exterior featured sporty black 18-inch wheels and a blacked-out trim, though the interior remained basic. The Touring Hybrid, priced at $50,909, was the top-tier model, showcasing a Canyon River Blue paint job. The CR-V's design was conservative, with a technical front resembling an angry robot, which might not have been to everyone's taste. However, the rear quarter view offered an upscale appearance with Volvo-like taillights. Inside, the Touring trim boasted leather seats with orange stitching and a sophisticated cabin, thanks to details like a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vents.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade embodied old-school luxury with its updated design, distinguishing itself from its GM siblings. The new front end brought it closer to Cadillac's EV lineup, featuring large vertical headlights and 24-inch wheels. The Escalade offered various trims, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac focused on hiding its shared platform with other GM SUVs, introducing a 55-inch OLED display across the dashboard. The interior was luxurious, with options like Renaissance Red leather and open-pore wood trim. The Premium Luxury Platinum model impressed with Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, showcasing Cadillac's attention to detail.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a unique two-motor hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to all four wheels. This system operated differently from other hybrids, with the gasoline engine sometimes acting as a generator. Despite its complexity, the system worked transparently, though it fell short of its fuel efficiency claims during testing, achieving 8.7 L/100 km instead of the expected 6.4 L/100 km. The CR-V Hybrid offered a quiet ride with predictable handling, though its steering was notably heavy.

For the 2025 Cadillac Escalade, the Duramax turbodiesel engine was dropped, leaving the 6.2-litre V8 as the sole option, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Escalade-V boasted a supercharged version with 682 hp. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth power delivery. In Canada, most models came with 4WD, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented AWD system. Despite its size, the Escalade's ride quality was impressive, though it couldn't match the handling of luxury competitors. The brakes, however, lacked confidence, with an optional Brembo package available for those seeking better performance.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The driver's seat was 10-way power-adjustable, while the front passenger seat had limited adjustments. Heated seats and dual-zone climate control were standard, enhancing comfort. The CR-V's rear doors opened wide, making it easy to install child seats, and the back seat provided excellent leg support. Cargo space was generous, with 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 2,030 litres with them folded down.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, offered ample space for passengers and cargo. The ESV model provided additional third-row legroom and cargo capacity. The Escalade boasted best-in-segment cargo space, with 722 litres behind the rear seats and up to 4,043 litres in the ESV. It could tow up to 3,675 kg, though it lacked some towing features found in competitors. The interior was spacious, with seating for up to eight, and offered luxurious options like second-row captain's chairs and massage seats.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system in the Touring trim. While the voice recognition system was basic, the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade featured a cutting-edge 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, incorporating a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its voice recognition system, while not as advanced as some competitors, was functional. The optional Executive Second Row Package added rear-seat entertainment and additional controls, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane-departure warnings. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, though it fell short of the top award due to a poor rating in a new test.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a comprehensive suite of driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Safety Alert Seat provided additional warnings, and Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads. However, crash test ratings were not available at the time of writing.