2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood as a towering presence, nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground, requiring a significant length to park. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of computers, offering a sense of grandeur and showmanship. The Escalade ESV extended this further with an additional 15 inches, primarily in the wheelbase. The Escalade, along with its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, was designed for those who wanted to make a statement, whether they were pop musicians, overzealous parents, or large families. Its athletic and trim appearance was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits, which helped mask its mass. The interior boasted a rich first-row experience with a 38-inch curved screen and luxurious wood trim, though the allure faded in the second and third rows, where cheaper GM parts were evident.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered distinctive styling that set it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. Available in various trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, it ranged in price from $36,650 to $53,850. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black trim, available in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint. The interior exuded luxury with an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated design elements. The Palisade's interior was reminiscent of a luxury SUV, offering a sense of opulence and comfort that belied its mass-market status.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing a pleasant driving experience, especially for gentle cruising. It achieved a combined 16 mpg with optional 4WD. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration concerns with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provided 277 hp and better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, requiring manual engagement for low-traction surfaces. Its magnetic dampers and air suspension enhanced maneuverability, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and achieved 21 mpg in combined driving with AWD. The Palisade provided several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. The V6 engine delivered satisfying acceleration, and the transmission was responsive. The Palisade's suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent visibility and maneuverability in tight spaces. It displayed unexpected athleticism on winding roads, with reliable brakes and predictable handling.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted a spacious interior, offering 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV provided even more space, with 143 cubic feet in total. The interior featured simple controls, a smart infotainment system, and optional amenities like a front console refrigerator. Power-retractable side steps and an air suspension facilitated access and loading. However, the second-row seats were not powered, unlike the third row.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory settings were available in higher trims. The Palisade provided configurable storage, with a large bin between the front seats and additional storage under the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered comfort and roominess. The Palisade's smart tailgate feature provided hands-free access, though it could be turned off if desired. Cargo space included 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear displays. A front camera offered a high-resolution feed with navigation overlays, enhancing the driver's field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was a standout feature, offering hands-free highway driving with infrared eye-tracking cameras. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with streaming capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth connectivity, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, while wireless charging was standard from the SEL trim. The Palisade featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided navigation instructions and safety feature status, though it was incompatible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. It featured forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder as standard. Optional safety features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and more. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, offering a hands-on driving system. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.