2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, standing nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The standard Escalade was already impressive, but the Escalade ESV extended the wheelbase by an additional 15 inches. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, was designed for show, appealing to a diverse range of drivers from pop musicians to large families. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious in the first row, featuring a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality wood trim, but the allure faded in the second and third rows, where cheaper GM parts were evident.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 shared stylistic connections with the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. Its design included split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that suggested a coupe-like SUV without sacrificing versatility. The GV70's interior was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, boasting top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that rose organically from the dash. The GV70's dash featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The gas-powered GV70 was available in two trims, while the Electrified GV70 offered two additional trims, each with a range of luxury features and options.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, suitable for towing up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model. However, its acceleration was not as sprightly as some competitors. The Escalade-V addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided 277 horsepower and better fuel economy. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, but its magnetic dampers and air suspension improved maneuverability and ride quality.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T offered a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with AWD. The GV70 Electrified used a 77.4-kWh battery with dual motors, producing 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode for up to 483 horsepower. It had a range of 236 miles and supported fast charging. The GV70's handling was well-rounded, balancing comfort and sportiness.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space. The interior featured simple controls, a front console refrigerator, and power-retractable side steps. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use. It came standard with a hands-free power liftgate. The front seats were comfortable and adjustable, but rear legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a span of OLED screens across the dash, offering sharp and clear displays. It included a front camera with augmented reality navigation, Super Cruise hands-free highway driving, and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. The Escalade also offered night vision with pedestrian detection and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. The GV70 also offered ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It included standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a full suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5T's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard.