2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Genesis GV70 presented a unique blend of ruggedness and sleekness, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct appearance. The vehicle featured quad LED strips for both headlights and taillights, along with a large, shield-shaped grille. Its sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, combining the visual bulk of an SUV with athletic, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, with a minimalistic design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller, offering a luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetic size and distinct styling. The massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its size, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against the vast sheet metal. The vehicle offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright exterior trim for Luxury and Premium Luxury models, and darkened trim for the Sport model. Inside, the Escalade's interior was spacious, featuring leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though it lacked a cohesive design theme and included some cheap-looking plastic bits.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more common in sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced the vehicle's sporty character, but the GV70's chassis and steering lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury feel.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive, with optional four-wheel drive. The Escalade's diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, but the vehicle's ride was unsettled, even with independent rear suspension and available air suspension. The Escalade's towing capacity was slightly lower than the Lincoln Navigator's, and its body-on-frame construction contributed to a less comfortable ride compared to unibody SUVs.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to the BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets, though a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous 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-folding third-row bench seat. Cargo space was generous, 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. The raised center console limited storage space, and while the front seats offered massage and lumbar support, they felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, and large sun visors for the expansive side-window glass.

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

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 trip-computer screen. The display was well-integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. While the touchscreen's carousel format for radio stations was awkward, the Escalade's 360-degree camera system offered unparalleled resolution. The vehicle also featured a rearview camera mirror, night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, though the latter was difficult to tune properly.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also included Highway Driving Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, and eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2, which added lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist tech such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. While the system occasionally disengaged unexpectedly, it provided smooth and natural responses. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Escalade.