2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new XRT treatment. It lacked a suspension lift and more aggressive tires, which would have made it more convincing. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT trim, priced higher than the SE and SEL trims but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims, included all equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package. The test vehicle, dressed in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast, making it look like an old black-and-white image. However, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin a pleasant place to spend time, demonstrating thoughtful design and high quality for the price point.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a strong first impression with its unapologetic size and distinct styling elements. The grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its massive size, with the front end resembling a diesel locomotive. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim and wheels, while the Sport trim had darkened trim, including a mesh grille. Riding on the same body-on-frame architecture as other GM full-size SUVs, the Escalade's interior included leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. However, it lacked a cohesive design theme and included some cheap-looking plastic bits.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. With nearly two tons of curb weight, the engine was adequate for getting the Santa Fe up to freeway speeds and cruising at the posted limit. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled shifting, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, with an official EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a remarkably quiet cabin. However, the engine lost steam when climbing hills or mountain grades, and there was a delay in responsiveness when accelerating out of corners. The XRT treatment was cosmetic, and the running boards could detract from performance, so off-roading was not tested.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive drivetrains. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it an asset when pulling away from a stop. However, the brake pedal felt hard and uninspiring. The gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, slightly more than the diesel. The Escalade's ride was unsettled, with the body always pitching or jiggling, and pavement imperfections sent vibrations through the cabin. The Escalade lacked off-road capability compared to its GM cousins and other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was comfortable, but the front passenger’s seat was not height-adjustable. The rear-seat accommodations were excellent, with plenty of room for a family of four and features like rear side-window shades, USB charging ports, and rear air conditioning vents. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was convenient but could open unintentionally.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, with the extended ESV version being 15.1 inches longer. The Escalade offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat. The cargo space was impressive, 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 provided limited storage space, and the seats felt like they could have come from one of the Escalade’s GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors for the side-window glass.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services were standard. The infotainment system was simple to use, with large power/volume and tuning knobs, clean on-screen graphics, and logical menu structures. The test vehicle did not have the infotainment system upgrade, so the voice recognition system’s capabilities were not assessed. Hyundai’s digital key technology allowed Android-based smartphones to unlock doors and start the engine, but it did not work with Apple iPhones. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was useful for getting the driver’s attention when traffic started moving.

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, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, were standard. The display blended nicely with the dashboard, and the touchscreen’s icons were arranged to fit its shape. Cadillac retained physical toggles for climate control and other important functions. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward to use while driving, and the rotary controller seemed like an afterthought. The Escalade’s OLED screens provided unparalleled resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with numerous standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Junction Turning Detection system could automatically brake if the driver attempted an unsafe left turn. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants not to open a door if the coast wasn’t clear. The ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the interior for movement and could respond to a baby waking up from a nap. Bluelink provided additional safety features, including automatic emergency assistance and vehicle speed alerts. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist tech such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Premium Luxury and higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on Premium Luxury Platinum trims and above. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera to check for distraction. Super Cruise responses were smooth and natural, making it easier to place the vehicle on the road. However, the IIHS and NHTSA did not publish safety ratings for the 2022 Escalade.