Cadillac Escalade ESV vs Kia Seltos

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in height. This extension primarily enhanced cargo space, with a wheelbase stretched to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by features like LED headlights, a power panoramic moonroof, and illuminating door handles, contributing to its luxurious appeal.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes, where the use of hard plastics detracted from its luxury status. The dashboard lacked distinctive trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000. Despite these shortcomings, the Escalade ESV remained a good-looking and posh vehicle, offering a range of packages to enhance its exterior and interior features.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Most trims, except the Seltos S, included standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $22,590 to $28,080, excluding the destination charge. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), among other enhancements. The Seltos was an appealing small SUV, though its headlights were not favored. The Nightfall Edition's intricate wheels were attractive but not easily visible due to their finish.

Inside, the Seltos displayed a good sense of style with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic made the interior look cheap, despite excellent build quality. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs for commonly adjusted features and matte-black buttons with clear markings. The infotainment system's purple accent color was not universally liked. Despite some nitpicking, the Seltos was larger, more useful, and more refined than many of its direct rivals, offering a competitive edge in its class.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power but could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level, which could challenge the engine when towing. The EPA estimated the traditional Escalade's fuel economy at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with RWD versions being more efficient. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbocharged engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution at lower speeds. The Seltos Nightfall Edition returned an EPA-rated 27 mpg in combined driving. The suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos offered good grip and was easy to park, with excellent outward visibility.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. Standard features included twelve-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being suitable for occasional adult use. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could open for drop-in storage. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier and assisted in avoiding obstacles.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The front passenger's seat was not height-adjustable but provided proper leg support. The Nightfall Edition included cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters and heated front seats. Rear seat space was generous, with ample legroom and footroom. The Seltos offered decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was a technological highlight, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports were standard. The Escalade ESV boasted a curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain roadways. However, Super Cruise occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention when it failed.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, with a Bose premium sound system on the SX. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the latter required a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating, and a native conversational voice recognition system was lacking. The system performed better with an active subscription to connected services.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA.