2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a design heavily influenced by the Escala concept, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, from the side and rear, it retained a familiar look, featuring crisp creases and tall OLED taillights. The Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, offering a commanding presence. The base model was priced at $76,195, with options for more luxurious trims like the Premium Luxury and Sport, which could be upgraded to Platinum for maximum opulence. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, was equipped with a host of features, including a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Performance Package, bringing the total cost to $102,310. The interior, while luxurious, had some hard plastic elements that seemed out of place for its price range.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while borrowing some styling cues from other Genesis models, maintained a unique appearance with its quad LED headlights and taillights, shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The Sport Prestige model added distinctive styling elements, such as a model-specific front fascia and 21-inch wheels with a web pattern. The interior featured an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with minimalistic design elements and a rotary gear selector. The GV70 offered a variety of interior color options, and our test car's Sport Prestige trim boasted Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts. However, base models came with leatherette seats.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was favored for its performance and sound, and it came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The V8 featured Dynamic Fuel Management technology, allowing it to operate on as few as two cylinders to improve fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 16 mpg combined for the 4WD model. The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved, thanks to a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension. These enhancements provided a smooth and controlled ride, even on challenging roads.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis lacked the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 felt more comfortable on highways, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels, and it didn't quite match the luxury feel expected from a high-end vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade benefited from a larger and more useful cabin, thanks to its new independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats, with ventilated and massaging options available in higher trims. The second-row offered heated captain's chairs or a bench seat, and the third-row seat was now comfortable for adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 109.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV provided even more cargo space.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet when folded. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with limited room in the center console and door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige trim were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade featured a 38-inch curved-glass display with OLED instrumentation and infotainment screens, offering greater pixel density than a 4K TV. While the technology was impressive, some user experience improvements were needed, such as easier access to different display modes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though there were occasional connectivity issues. The Escalade's voice recognition technology had limitations, and physical controls were often preferred over the touchscreen. The AR navigation system and AKG sound systems were highlights, with the 36-speaker AKG Reference system providing exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and glass rotary controller were user-friendly. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key function, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles, included free for three years.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The optional Driver Assist Tech Package included higher-speed emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. However, there were instances of false alarms during testing. The Escalade's size provided inherent safety, and the upcoming Super Cruise technology promised hands-free driving on highways.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While the Highway Driving Assist system provided smooth control inputs, its lane-centering function had limitations on curvy roads.