2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

In recent years, Cadillac had showcased several intriguing concept vehicles, hinting at design elements that would later manifest in production models. The redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade bore the influence of the Escala concept, particularly noticeable in its front fascia. However, from the midsection to the rear, the new Escalade didn’t break any styling molds. It rolled on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, featuring sharp creases along its sides and vertical OLED taillights that extended upwards and merged into the roof.

The entry-level model started at $76,195, appealing as a black-on-black vehicle with leatherette upholstery and RWD. It provided modest equipment with limited upgrades. Shoppers seeking flashier or more luxurious versions leaned towards the Premium Luxury trim at $82,995 or the sporty variant at $85,995, both of which could be upgraded to the Platinum version costing nearly $100,000. The extended-length Escalade ESV, adding significant cargo space, required an additional $3,000.

The test model was a Premium Luxury trim equipped with four-wheel drive, coated in Shadow Metallic paint, and kitted with a 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system, rear-seat entertainment, retractable side steps, a Driver Assist Tech Package, and a Performance Package, culminating in a $102,310 price tag.

Inside, the Escalade’s cabin revealed its superior quality over its siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe High Country and GMC Yukon Denali. While the basic Luxury trim was limited to black leatherette and a single wood finish, other trims offered standard leather with various textures and perforation patterns. The Platinum edition stood out with semi-aniline leather, leather-wrapped panels, a suede-like headliner, and seven wood trim options. The test vehicle featured Parchment leather contrasting with Jet Black, detailed with mini-chevron perforations and Tamo Ash wood trims. Despite the luxurious look, the light-colored carpets were starting to stain with under 1,000 miles on the odometer. The lower sections of the dashboard and doors, though treated to minimize gloss and hollowness, were somewhat unforgiving, given the SUV's high cost.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey targeted families needing practicality with a touch of elegance. On several occasions, minivans like the Odyssey were recommended for growing families due to three primary benefits: sliding side doors, substantial third-row seating, and ample cargo space, all of which were advantageous over crossovers or SUVs. The minivan's sliding doors were a godsend in tight parking spaces, making it easy to load toddlers. The third-row seat was genuinely comfortable, accommodating grandparents or carpools effortlessly, with added deep well space behind it to secure gear.

Although there were only four minivan options in the U.S. market, the Odyssey maintained a certain stylish appeal. Its design, though traditional to the minivan blueprint, was animated by kinked sliding doors hiding the tracks, resulting in dramatic hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim displayed dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its aesthetic allure.

The Elite trim sat atop a lineup that included LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring models, with prices spanning from $33,040 to $48,770, excluding destination charges. The fully-loaded Odyssey Elite tested was priced at $49,995.

Odysseys from EX-L trim onwards featured leather upholstery, and all models exhibited top-notch material quality and fit-finish. The interior was spacious, reflecting the open-concept minivan design with a low console between the front seats and plenty of storage spaces. Despite the haphazard appearance of numerous switches on the center stack, they were conveniently placed for easy access during use.

Massive windshields and small quarter windows amplified the panoramic view from the driver's seat, reinforcing the minivan's distinct, commanding presence on the road.

In evaluating the 2021 Cadillac Escalade’s performance, the saying "there is no replacement for displacement" was challenged by the new inclusion of a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine available at no extra cost, replacing the standard 6.2-liter V8. Yet, many preferred the V8 for its sound and performance. The V8, with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, seamlessly powered the hefty SUV through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the rear or all four wheels.

The V8 employed direct fuel injection, an automatic start/stop system, and Dynamic Fuel Management for better fuel efficiency, even running on just two cylinders when feasible. The EPA estimated the 4WD version should get 16 mpg combined, and on a 140-mile test, it averaged 15.9 mpg.

The turbo-diesel engine, while generating 277 horsepower, matched the V8’s torque but delivered it earlier in the rev range, likely offering a satisfying response during acceleration. This engine’s mpg estimates in combined driving could reach 27, as seen in the similarly equipped Chevy Silverado.

A significant improvement in ride and handling was achieved by replacing the previous beam-axle setup with a new independent rear suspension, complemented by the Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) 4.0 adaptive dampers and the 4-Corner Air Ride suspension. These elements together produced a smooth ride with minimal unwanted movements, enhancing comfort and control, especially in Sport driving mode.

During the test drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, the Escalade displayed exceptional prowess on winding roads and city streets, absorbing crumbling pavement seamlessly. However, the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

Freeways were where the Escalade excelled most, effortlessly cruising with minimal noise interference. With upcoming Super Cruise technology that would provide nearly hands-free, autonomous driving, the Escalade promised even greater appeal for long-distance travelers.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, meanwhile, came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission using pushbutton controls. Unlike competitors offering all-wheel-drive or hybrid versions, the Odyssey remained a front-wheel-drive vehicle, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 22 mpg combined. While the hybrid competitors managed better fuel efficiency, the Odyssey’s driving dynamics were enjoyable and reliable during daily commutes.

The Odyssey Elite handled commendably on a standard route through Southern California’s varied terrains. It achieved an average of 22.6 mpg, signaling decent efficiency. However, the braking system revealed a notable drawback. Repeated downhill braking caused pedal vibrations and a grumbling noise, a concern that intensified with a loaded vehicle.

Nonetheless, the Odyssey’s blend of responsiveness and composure made driving a pleasurable experience. Acceleration for freeway merging was quick, and handling on curvy mountain roads was impressive. Yet, the brakes needed better resilience for frequent downhill driving.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade immensely benefited from its revamped independent rear suspension, which allowed for a lower cabin floor and, coupled with a longer wheelbase and overall length, resulted in substantial interior volume increases. The front seats now came with various adjustments, including a standard 12-way and available 16-way power settings, with heated, ventilated, and in the Platinum trim, even massaging functionalities.

Second-row passengers enjoyed more comfortable seating with options for heated captain’s chairs or a three-person bench seat. These seats were adjustable for better leg support, and the triple-zone climate control catered to comfort through all seat rows.

The most significant improvement was the third-row seating, where even adults could sit comfortably, benefiting from increased legroom and leg support. This seating layout made the new Escalade far more functional for passenger transport.

Cargo space had also grown significantly. The standard Escalade offered 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 63 cubic feet with the third row down and 109.1 cubic feet with all rows folded. Opting for the extended-length Escalade ESV provided even more space with 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 81.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a staggering 126.6 cubic feet with both second and third rows stowed.

On the other hand, entering the 2022 Honda Odyssey was straightforward, thanks to its lower ride height compared to most SUVs. The minivan presented quality leather seats, power adjustments, heating, and ventilation in the Elite trim, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system.

The Odyssey’s interior excelled in practicality, with ample storage solutions including shelves in the door panels and a floor tray between the dashboard and center console. Second-row seats were spacious and offered flexibility through the Magic Slide system, allowing various configurations to ease passenger access to the third row or improve collision safety.

The Odyssey’s third-row was notably comfortable for adults, offering decent leg support and foot room. Cargo capacity was also impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, rivaling the space in a Suburban.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade bristled with advanced technology, highlighted by its 38-inch curved OLED display, providing superior pixel density and stunning visuals. Despite its complexity, the system was user-friendly for those familiar with modern smartphones, although certain usability improvements were needed.

For instance, switching between different instrumentation views required navigating several menus, something challenging to manage while driving. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered seamless connectivity, albeit with occasional issues. The voice recognition system had some lapses, and climate control couldn’t be managed via voice, which was expected at this tech level.

Cadillac’s navigation utilized augmented reality, displaying turn arrows on camera views and showing Google Street View images upon arrival. The 19-speaker AKG premium sound system was standard, with a 36-speaker AKG Reference sound system available, offering exceptional audio quality and functionalities.

The Escalade also included a full-color head-up display visible with polarized sunglasses, providing diverse information.

In comparison, the 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was fully equipped with Honda's technology offerings. However, its infotainment system appeared dated alongside rivals. The EX trim introduced an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. For navigation and WiFi, the Touring trim was necessary.

CabinWatch and CabinTalk in Touring and Elite trims allowed monitoring and addressing rear-seat passengers, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen was standard from the Touring trim. The entertainment system lagged behind competitors, relying on CDs, DVDs, or Blu-Ray.

The Elite also included an 11-speaker audio system and a wireless charging pad. Despite the user-friendly interface, a larger screen and tuning knob would have been beneficial, and navigation software required specific commands, making it less intuitive than smartphone-based systems.

Overall, the Odyssey’s technology felt dated, and a significant upgrade was anticipated with future redesigns.

Safety in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade was underscored by its sheer size and weight, starting at a minimum of 5,635 pounds. It featured standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Additional standard equipment included Teen Driver technology, parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a rear-seat reminder. With OnStar and Cadillac Connected Services, it also offered automatic crash notification and emergency SOS functions.

The Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package further enhanced safety with higher-speed forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, automatic seatbelt tightening, and adaptive cruise control.

The Escalade’s ADAS systems generally operated smoothly. However, there were instances of false alarms and a concerning false braking event on a freeway drive. Future updates included Cadillac's Super Cruise technology for hands-free, autonomous driving on selected highways.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing as standard, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder were also standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the EX trim level upwards.

While Honda Sensing was comprehensive, it sometimes lacked refinement, occasionally misinterpreting road conditions and reacting abruptly to changing situations. The blind-spot monitoring system's warning lights were oddly placed, and the radar seemed insufficient in providing timely safe lane-change information.

Despite minor flaws, the Odyssey achieved top safety ratings, earning a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.