2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, had the advantage of a fresh design approach, unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish a signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant design elements borrowed from the G80 sedan. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and distinctive wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 offered a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a focus on horizontal lines, real wood, metal, and leather, creating a luxurious and spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size and distinctive styling. The front end, with its tall hood and locomotive-like appearance, set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for sport and luxury models, with bright or darkened exterior trims. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained a unique identity. Inside, it provided a luxurious experience with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though it lacked a cohesive design theme. Some materials appeared less premium, but Cadillac got key details right, such as dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The V6 models came with standard all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by independent multi-link suspension and, in the 3.5T models, electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T models had a curb weight between 4,506 and 4,850 lbs, while the 3.5T models weighed between 4,907 and 5,104 lbs. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was rated at 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with RWD, and 21/25/22 with AWD. The 3.5T AWD achieved 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. The Escalade's diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for various driving situations. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly more than the diesel. Despite its independent rear suspension, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, with vibrations transmitted through the cabin. It lacked the off-road capability of some GM cousins and fell short of competitors like the Lincoln Navigator in comfort.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology, design, and ergonomics. The center console and stack housed a rotary gear selector, a circular multimedia controller, and capacitive touch buttons for HVAC controls. The second row offered comfort and roominess for two adults, with power seats and window shades available. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. The third-row seats had a power-fold function and were split 50/50.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet with all seats in place, 63.0 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac included important details like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered user-configurable split-screen displays and over-the-air updates. Android users could access a digital key function, and the GV80 came with three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims. The standard audio system had 12 speakers, while a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers was the highlight.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of 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 were standard, and the display integrated seamlessly into the dashboard. The Escalade offered a 360-degree camera system with high-resolution OLED screens, a rearview camera mirror, and features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation. A 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard, though tuning it proved challenging.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. It came with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also featured adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist tech like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. The Escalade had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crashworthiness.