2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong first impression, distinguishing itself as one of the most unapologetically massive SUVs on the market. Its imposing grille, LED daytime running lights, and distinctive taillights, vaguely reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, emphasized its sheer size. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights paired with horizontal headlights, bore a resemblance to a diesel locomotive, leaving no ambiguity about the vehicle's bulk. Even the 22-inch wheels seemed small against the Escalade’s vast expanse of sheet metal. Cadillac offered different trim pieces for “sport” and “luxury” models, with the Escalade Luxury and Premium Luxury featuring bright exterior elements, while the Escalade Sport boasted darkened trim, such as a mesh grille.

Sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, the Escalade exuded a robust ruggedness that appealed to a certain demographic. However, the interior had a more heterogeneous feel. Despite luxurious elements like leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, it lacked a cohesive design theme seen in rivals like the Lincoln Navigator. Cheap plastic bits also detracted from the otherwise upscale ambiance.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, struck a different chord. With a distinctive boxy design, it harked back to the aesthetics of the old LR4, which clearly resonated with buyers. The Defender's square-jawed front, rectangular hood and doors, and sharply chopped tail exuded a classic truck vibe, with most body fittings cut at either right angles or very steep angles. Nostalgic nods to the original 1980s Defender included faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof sides, and a side glass separating body-color square.

The Defender offered a variety of trim options, including the two-tone hood and front fascia on the X trim, and fully blacked-out details on the V8 model. It also came in three distinct body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130. The interior emphasized function and durability over opulence, featuring rubberized and plastic surfaces designed for moisture-wicking and stain resistance, exposed screws, basic air vents, and a spartan steering wheel. Despite its minimalism, the interior maintained a hardcore character that stood out, though some felt its high price tag was excessive given its utilitarian design.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, there was an option for GM’s Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine, producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and came with either standard rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive configurations.

In our tests, the Escalade diesel surprised us with smooth power delivery and sufficient propulsion despite its lower horsepower compared to the V8. The diesel’s lower torque peak at 1,500 rpm made it particularly effective from a stop. However, the vehicle’s braking system, with its very hard pedal, didn’t inspire much confidence. While the gasoline engine had a slight edge in towing capacity at 8,200 pounds compared to the diesel's 8,100 pounds, both fell short of the Lincoln Navigator’s 8,700-pound capability.

Ride quality was another area where the Escalade faced challenges. Despite an independent rear suspension and available air suspension with Magnetic Ride Control dampers, the ride was unsettled. The Escalade’s body-on-frame construction and large 22-inch wheels resulted in significant body motion, making the ride less composure than rivals like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Range Rover, and even the Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road performance. Our 2020 test on rugged trails highlighted its impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance, especially with raised air suspension. The Terrain Response 2 system adapted the vehicle to various surfaces seamlessly. However, these off-road strengths contributed to less-than-ideal road manners. The Defender suffered from friction in the drivetrain, drag from the body, excessive body roll, slow steering, noticeable wind noise, and dive-prone braking.

Despite these drawbacks, the Defender’s turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided tremendous power. The V8, with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, was especially potent, though it felt almost unnerving given the vehicle’s top-heavy structure. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid system, offered smooth and efficient performance with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the non-hybrid turbo-six in the Defender 130 S were less impressive, requiring more effort to reach highway speeds.

Fuel economy varied across engines, with the four-cylinder delivering 17 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, and the hybrid six-cylinder improving slightly to 18/23/20. The V8, however, managed a paltry 14/19/16 mpg. Despite its shortcomings, the V8 engine’s power remained a highlight.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, translating into substantial interior space. Measuring 211.9 inches long for the standard version and 227 inches for the extended Escalade ESV, it provided immense cabin room. Offering the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, it even surpassed the Lincoln Navigator in cargo capacity. With 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 109.1 cubic feet with second and third rows folded, the Escalade proved to be a cargo-hauling champion.

Despite its spaciousness, the Escalade faced some functionality challenges. The raised center console offered limited storage for loose items, and the 12-way power-adjustable front seats felt borrowed from its GM cousins, detracting from the luxury experience. However, the inclusion of dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors were appreciated details.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility. With unique seating configurations, no other SUV matched its flexibility. The two-door Defender 90 with a jump seat offered seating for six with three in the front, much like an old pickup. The four-door 110 and extended-length 130 provided optional and standard third-row seats, respectively, capable of seating up to eight passengers. Rear passengers enjoyed amenities like a separate moonroof, air vents with a separate climate zone, cupholders, USB ports, and armrests.

Cargo space varied across models, with the Defender 130 offering 77 cubic feet with second and third rows folded and a modest 14 cubic feet with all seats upright. The two-door 90 provided 16 cubic feet, expanding to 58 with rear seats folded. The four-door 110 had 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 with seats folded, while three-row variants offered 69 cubic feet with all rows folded, 35 behind the second row, and 11 behind the third row.

Defender buyers could also opt for off-road or all-season tires, a metal roof rack supporting up to 661 pounds when stationary, a console refrigerator, heated windshield, pressurized water rinse system, power-deployable side steps, brush bar, and winch, making it versatile for various adventures.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured a remarkable 38-inch curved OLED display comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and physical toggles for climate control were standard. The display integrated well into the dashboard, and the touchscreen’s icons were both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

However, the carousel format for changing radio stations proved cumbersome, and Cadillac's rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The infotainment system lacked the natural language voice recognition found in BMW and Mercedes-Benz SUVs. Nevertheless, the OLED screens provided unparalleled resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots caused by rear seats or pillars. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, though the sound quality was challenging to tune.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender ran Pivi Pro on either a standard 10-inch screen or an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation. Base models featured manual fabric seats and a basic stereo. The Defender S upgraded to heated 12-way power seats with leather upholstery and a Meridian stereo. Higher trims, like the X-Dynamic SE, added silver accents, black rear tow hooks, and Robustec-trimmed seats.

The X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, an enhanced Terrain Response 2 system, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, larger touchscreen, and a camera-based rearview mirror. Other features included a cabin air purifier and configurable ambient lighting.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Many warnings were relayed through Cadillac’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Premium Luxury trims and above got additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with trailer blind-spot monitoring standard on Premium Luxury Platinum trims.

Super Cruise, Cadillac’s hands-free driving system, was available for $2,500 on most trims, offering automated lane changes and driver monitoring for distraction. While the system occasionally disengaged inexplicably, its smooth and natural responses were impressive.

However, the Escalade lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, leaving its crash protection capabilities uncertain.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had no crash-test ratings from U.S. agencies but earned five stars from Euro NCAP for its robust structure. It came with six airbags, which were a point of contention as it lacked front knee and rear side thorax airbags. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Defender offered a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system showing a virtual rendering while parking. Though automatic steering when reversing a trailer was available, the Defender lacked a self-steering highway assist system.