2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a commanding presence on the road, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was designed to impress, with its three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The Escalade ESV variant added an extra 15 inches to the standard version, enhancing its already substantial wheelbase. The vehicle's design was meant to make a statement, appealing to a diverse range of drivers from pop musicians to large families. Despite its size, the Escalade managed to look athletic, thanks to design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome accents on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious, especially in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality materials, though some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from the overall luxury experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille resembled that of the Ioniq 5, and the vehicle featured a "seamless horizon" styling with a single LED headlight dominating the front. Despite being larger than its predecessor, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding. The Kona lineup came standard with LED lights and offered a range of wheel sizes across its trims. Inside, the Kona's cabin was updated with a driver-oriented center stack and a new gear shift location, enhancing space and functionality. The most noticeable update was the curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens, along with refined vents and controls.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a driving experience that was both enjoyable and powerful. Its standard 6.2-liter V8 engine produced 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, suitable for towing up to 8,200 pounds in the RWD model. However, the engine's performance felt heavy during passing situations, and the 10-speed automatic transmission, while responsive, seemed to struggle in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration concerns with a supercharged Corvette V8 engine delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, making it the only model with appropriately sized front brakes. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered a smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy, achieving a combined 22 mpg with 4WD. The Escalade's 4WD system was more rudimentary compared to conventional SUVs, but its magnetic dampers and air suspension provided a nimble and maneuverable ride, despite some wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were available on the N-Line and Limited trims, enhancing the driving experience. During a test drive, the Kona Limited demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup felt slow even with the turbo engine. The Kona offered FWD as standard, with AWD available for an additional fee, slightly reducing fuel economy estimates.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, offering 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV variant provided even more room, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension contributed to generous headroom and legroom in all rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Additional features included an optional front console refrigerator, power-retractable side steps, and an air suspension that lowered the vehicle for easier loading. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona's increased length translated to improved rear-seat legroom, measuring 38.2 inches, and enhanced cargo capacity, with 25.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Inside, the cabin offered practical storage solutions, such as a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona's seating options included cloth seats for SE and SEL trims, a leather/suede combination for N-Line, and H-Tex leatherette for Limited. Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard on the Limited trim, with heated front seats available on higher trims.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a vast array of OLED screens across the dashboard, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed of the road, overlaying directional arrows and street names when navigation was active. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered the best hands-free highway driving system, using infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention. The Escalade also featured night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, massaging front seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system with streaming capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological enhancements, with a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display standard across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were initially available only on lower trims, but an OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. The Kona also offered wireless device charging, a new Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo system. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in the cabin, and OTA update capability was standard. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were included for the life of the vehicle.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection in a frontal crash test and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, and adaptive cruise control was included on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also featured Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, with smooth lane-keep assist and a clear inventory of driver-assistance features.