2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade drew inspiration from the striking Cadillac Escala concept, evident in the redesigned face of this luxury SUV. Despite its contemporary front design, the Escalade maintained a sense of familiarity in its silhouette. For the first time, it adorned standard 22-inch wheels, boasted sharp creases along its sides, and displayed characteristic vertical OLED taillights that seamlessly integrated into the roofline.

Pricing began at $76,195 for a basic black-on-black model with leatherette upholstery, a standard-length wheelbase, and rear-wheel drive. However, most buyers opted for higher trims like the luxurious Premium Luxury at $82,995 or the sportier, blackout Sport trim at $85,995. An even higher level of opulence could be attained with the Platinum trim upgrade at $99,995, with an additional $3,000 for the extended-length Escalade ESV, which offered greater cargo space.

The test vehicle for this review featured the Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, rendered in Shadow Metallic paint. It came equipped with a robust 36-speaker AKG Reference premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, power-retractable side steps with ground lighting, a Driver Assist Tech Package, and a Performance Package. Including the $1,295 destination charge, this Escalade came in at a substantial $102,310.

In terms of luxury, the Escalade outshone its siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country and the GMC Yukon Denali, thanks to its superior cabin quality. Even the base Luxury trim presented a sole option of black leatherette and a single wood trim. Other versions offered leather as standard alongside various quilting patterns, while Platinum models took it up a notch with semi-aniline premium leather, leather-wrapped interior panels, and a synthetic suede headliner. An assortment of seven different wood trims added to the aesthetic choices.

The Premium Luxury test Escalade featured Parchment leather upholstery over a Jet Black base, mini-chevron perforations, and Tamo Ash wood trim. While visually stunning, the light-colored carpets and mats had begun to show soil after less than a thousand miles. Despite some plastic components on the lower dashboard and door panels being hard to overlook for a six-figure vehicle, Cadillac had taken steps to reduce their gloss and eliminate the hollow feel.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Land Rover Defender echoed the legacy of its predecessors while embracing modern design elements. The original Land Rover Series I began its journey in 1948, developing through Series II, Series III, and eventually the Land Rover 90 and 110, culminating in the Defender nameplate in 1990. The Defender kept its distinctive charm, characterized by round headlamps, flat hoods, and a boxy silhouette. For decades, it epitomized timeless cool.

The new Defender retained the spirit of its ancestors but incorporated contemporary touches. Instead of round incandescent headlamps, it featured half-round LED headlights with an 'eyelid' design, lending the truck a more serious look. The grille seemed structural, mirroring a push bar, while the flat-topped fenders, fender flares, and floating roof echoed past designs. Notable details included composite cladding with a diamond-plate pattern atop the fenders, functional vents behind the front fenders, and the spare tire mounted on the middle of the side-hinged tailgate.

Short overhangs gave the Defender a confident, capable stance. In person, it looked better than in photos, and its fit and finish were impeccable. The bold "DEFENDER" nameplate on the front and rear added a touch of tasteful branding.

The interior of the Defender emphasized exposed structure, featuring a dashboard seemingly held between horizontal beams and secure door panels with visible Allen-head bolts. The controls and steering wheel were robust, while the leather-upholstered seating offered both toughness and luxury. A digital instrument panel sat crisply behind the steering wheel, and a center touchscreen nestled secure between the dashboard’s ‘beams.’

Everything about the Defender’s cabin felt authentic and thoughtfully designed, with materials matching their visual impressions. Real metal felt like metal, leather felt like leather, and plastic elements conveyed a substantial feel.

In 2021, Cadillac revolutionized the Escalade's performance options. While the traditional 6.2-liter V8 engine remained standard, boasting 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder emerged as a no-cost replacement. Given the V8’s robust sound and dynamic performance, most customers stuck with it. Cadillac offered a Performance Upgrade Package for the V8, enhancing it with a performance air intake kit and a cat-back exhaust system for a more aggressive performance.

With its V8 engine, delivering power to either rear or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, the hefty Escalade didn't lack in acceleration. It featured direct fuel injection, an automatic engine stop/start system, and Dynamic Fuel Management technology. Fuel economy for the 4WD test vehicle was expected to be around 16 mpg in combined driving, and it impressively averaged 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile test loop.

The turbo-diesel alternative, generating 277 horsepower and an equivalent amount of torque as the V8, delivered torque earlier in the rev range, promising satisfying acceleration. While official fuel economy figures weren't available, similar setups in other vehicles suggested competitive efficiency.

More notable, however, was the Escalade's improved ride and handling, thanks to a new independent rear suspension design that replaced the prior beam-axle setup. Coupled with next-gen Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 adaptive dampers and 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension, the Escalade boasted a smooth, controlled ride. Bounce, jounce, and roll were nearly eliminated, especially in Sport driving mode, enhancing the overall driving experience. Through winding mountain roads and cityscapes alike, the Escalade demonstrated remarkable maneuverability for its size, although the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

On freeways, the Escalade excelled, effortlessly gliding along in its most efficient V8 range, offering superior insulation from engine, road, and wind noise compared to other luxury SUVs. With the upcoming Super Cruise technology, it further promised enhanced hands-free, long-distance cruising capabilities.

For the 2021 Land Rover Defender, two distinct powertrains were on offer. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful option was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder with mild-hybrid technology, generating 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. An enticing 518-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 was announced as an option for 2022.

Both Defender powertrains paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, featuring low range and Terrain Response systems to optimize performance based on varying surface conditions. Optional upgrades included Terrain Response 2, with automatic and advanced settings, and locking center and rear differentials for hardcore off-roaders.

The Defender's impressive off-road specs listed a 30.1-degree approach angle, a 37.6-degree departure angle, and maximum ascend/descent and side slope traverse gradients of 45 degrees each. Ground clearance ranged from a minimum of 8.5 inches to a maximum of 11.5 inches, and it could wade through up to 35.4 inches of water, promising unparalleled adventure potential.

On the road, the Defender delivered quick performance despite its weight, with the 2.0-liter model achieving 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model hitting the same mark in just 5.8 seconds. It also offered a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and payload capacity exceeding 1,700 pounds.

The test Defender 110 with the 3.0-liter mild-hybrid powertrain impressed with its solid, comfortable highway drive and agile city navigation, owing to its high seating position and off-road-ready attributes. While we didn’t tackle any severe off-road obstacles, the Defender’s capability and charming character were evident through farm trails and dirt roads.

Cadillac's Escalade saw a significant upgrade in cabin space, thanks to the new independent rear suspension design, resulting in a lower floor and more extended wheelbase. This configuration expanded passenger comfort and cargo capacity significantly.

Front seats retained a similar layout but featured enhanced design, quality, and technology. Heated seats came standard, with ventilated options available in all but the base Luxury trim, and massaging seats exclusive to the Platinum trim. Comfort was further bolstered by 12-way standard and 16-way optional power-adjustable front seats.

The second-row captain's chairs were heated and offered generous leg support and sliding capability, while a three-person bench seat was available at no extra cost. Second-row seats tumbled forward for improved access to a much roomier and comfortable third-row seat, capable of accommodating adults.

Cargo capacity also saw a boost, with 25.5 cubic feet available behind the third-row seat, expandable to 63 cubic feet with the third row folded. Flattening the second row maximized cargo space to 109.1 cubic feet. The extended-length Escalade ESV provided even more room, with 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet of volume behind the third, second, and front rows, respectively.

The Land Rover Defender rode on an advanced unibody platform shared with other luxury Land Rover models, using aluminum extensively for weight and strength. Its independent suspension system, featuring four-wheel multi-link air suspension, improved both on-road and off-road performance.

This modernized layout allowed for flexible seating configurations, with an optional jump seat that enabled three-across seating in the front and a third-row seat available for the long-wheelbase Defender 110. The second-row seating provided ample room side-to-side, and our test vehicle, devoid of additional seating, left the 20.5-inch legroom of the third row to speculation.

Regarding luggage space, the Defender 110 offered 34 to 34.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 15.6 cubic feet in the three-door Defender 90. The larger 110 model could accommodate 78.8 cubic feet of cargo behind the first row.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade dazzled with cutting-edge technology, notably its 38-inch curved-glass display for instrumentation and infotainment. Offering higher pixel density than a 4K television, this setup ensured exceptional visual clarity, enhanced by an anti-glare film on the surface.

Despite the advanced tech, familiarity with a modern smartphone smoothed the learning curve for drivers. However, some user experience flaws existed, like the multi-step process to switch between the three different screen views. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were convenient, though occasional connectivity issues arose with Apple CarPlay.

Voice recognition features had limitations, misinterpreting basic commands for navigation and lacking functionality for climate control adjustments. Physical controls on the center console, though somewhat redundant in other Cadillacs, were practical in the Escalade for ease of use.

Standard features included AR navigation, which superimposed directional turn arrows onto the on-screen camera view, and a navigation instructions system that heightened volume and visual prompts as turns approached. The standard 19-speaker AKG premium sound system extended to a stellar 36-speaker AKG Reference system in upgraded models, including separate volume control for front and rear passengers and a full-color head-up display visible under polarized sunglasses.

The Land Rover Defender, equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, facilitated remote software updates, covering 14 individual modules, mirroring the convenience of smartphone updates. Standard WiFi enabled this capability, with optional service upgrades.

The Defender introduced Land Rover's Pivi Pro system, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard connectivity included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, complemented by multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. The 3D surround-camera system with a 360-degree view provided helpful perspectives for off-road adventures, especially lacking a dedicated trail spotter.

Audio options ranged from a standard six-speaker system to 10- and 14-speaker setups with subwoofers. Meridian sound systems offered 180, 400, or 700 watts of amplification, enhancing the auditory experience. The Defender also had a full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror, which replaced the traditional mirror with a camera view, improving visibility when passengers or cargo blocked the rear sight.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade leveraged its massive size for initial safety, with a minimum weight of 5,635 pounds offering formidable collision protection. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Teen Driver technology, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a rear-seat reminder also came standard.

Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Driver Assist Tech Package, included in the tested vehicle, brought higher-speed forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control.

During testing, the safety systems generally performed well, though occasional false alarms occurred. The more advanced Super Cruise technology, offering hands-free autonomous driving and automated lane changes, promised to enhance future models.

While crash-test ratings for the 2021 Land Rover Defender weren’t available from NHTSA or IIHS, the vehicle included an extensive list of standard safety features. These ranged from a perimeter alarm, passenger seat occupant monitor, and electronic traction control to advanced systems like blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking aid.

The Defender underwent rigorous durability testing, positioning it as a reliable choice for both rugged and urban environments. With front and rear recovery points capable of withstanding significant force, it was designed to support driver and passenger safety in challenging conditions.