2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

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, the Escalade retained a familiar look with crisp creases and tall, vertical OLED taillights. It sat on standard 22-inch wheels for the first time, offering a range of trims from the base Luxury to the high-end Platinum. The test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim with four-wheel drive, came loaded with features like a 36-speaker AKG sound system and a Driver Assist Tech Package, bringing its price to $102,310. The interior, while luxurious with Parchment leather and Tamo Ash wood, had some hard plastic elements that felt out of place given the six-figure price tag.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, a new entrant in Hyundai's EV lineup, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines and a unique Parametric Pixel design. This design was evident in the vehicle's extensive use of LED pixels in all lighting elements. The Ioniq 5's interior contrasted its exterior with a low-key, comfortable design available in black, gray, and dark green hues. The cabin featured sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials. The seats, available in stain-resistant cloth or leatherette, were designed for comfort, with the driver's seat offering a "Relaxation" mode for a zero-gravity resting position.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower. The V8, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust acceleration and featured technologies like Dynamic Fuel Management and an automatic stop/start system to improve fuel economy. The test vehicle averaged 15.9 mpg on a 140-mile test loop. The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 adaptive dampers, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, making it smoother and more controlled. However, the brake pedal could have offered better modulation.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims (SE, SEL, and Limited) and offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and a 303-mile range. The AWD models combined a 74-kW front motor and a 165-kW rear motor for a total of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various terrains, with four drive modes including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle also featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels and a quiet cabin thanks to noise-reducing features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's new independent rear suspension allowed for a lower floor and increased interior volume. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats, with ventilated and massaging seats available in higher trims. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and offered improved leg support, while the third-row seat provided ample space for adults. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more cargo space.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), featured a long wheelbase that maximized interior space. Despite its hatchback appearance, it was sized like an electric SUV, with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space. The cabin featured soft touch points and a moveable center console that slid 5.5 inches. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, with a modern take on the retro front bench seat allowing for easy entry and exit from either front door.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a 38-inch curved OLED display, offering greater pixel density than a 4K television. The display included a 14.2-inch instrumentation screen and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though there were some issues with Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Escalade also featured a 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system. The AR navigation system superimposed directional arrows onto the camera view, and a full-color head-up display was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense technology with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging infrastructures and could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment screens were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade came with a suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a Safety Alert Seat. It also had Teen Driver technology, parking assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a rear-seat reminder. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. An optional Driver Assist Tech Package included higher-speed emergency braking, rear emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's size and weight provided additional safety, though there were a couple of false alarms during testing.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system that adapted to the driver's habits. The Ioniq 5 also featured a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested the Ioniq 5 would earn high marks.