2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet impactful changes. The exterior updates included redesigned headlights and grille, along with a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. Our test model, adorned in the new “Pluton Blue” paint, stood out sharply. Inside, the Seltos introduced two new interior colors, “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” although our test model featured the standard black interior. The most striking interior update was the expansive digital panel covering two-thirds of the dashboard, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, meanwhile, embraced its role as a symbol of Cadillac luxury with a design update that further distinguished it from its platform-sharing siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL. The most notable exterior change was a new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically with Cadillac's EVs, featuring large vertical headlights and smaller horizontal daytime running lights. The rear maintained its tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The introduction of 24-inch wheels complemented the vehicle's imposing presence. Inside, Cadillac focused on differentiating the Escalade from other GM SUVs, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED display with a 55-inch screen spanning the dashboard, enhancing the high-tech sedan-like interior design.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive, while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The X-Line and SX trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph scenarios, although it exhibited some turbo lag at lower speeds. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll, making it suitable for both urban and off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine as the sole choice, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V variant featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth and efficient power delivery. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive optional on most models, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system. Despite its powerful V8, the Escalade's handling was less refined compared to luxury competitors, and its brakes lacked confidence-inspiring performance. The optional Performance Upgrade Package, including Brembo brakes, was recommended for enhanced stopping power.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 26.6 cubic feet with the seats in use. The SX trim featured an optional hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos provided an upright seating position with ample headroom, ensuring good driver visibility and rear legroom. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the SX trim added a removable cargo cover for additional storage flexibility.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, available in standard and long-wheelbase ESV configurations, provided generous interior space. The ESV model extended the wheelbase by 13.2 inches, enhancing cargo space and third-row legroom. The standard model offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 121 cubic feet with the seats folded. ESV models further increased cargo capacity to 142.8 cubic feet. The Escalade accommodated up to eight passengers, or seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs. Despite its spaciousness, the Escalade's third-row headroom lagged behind competitors, and its towing capacity of 8,100 pounds was slightly less than some rivals.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across its trim lineup, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. Both systems supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Seltos retained tactile controls for volume and climate, enhancing usability. The SX trim offered an upgraded eight-speaker Bose stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone-based access.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade integrated a 55-inch door-to-door display, combining a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. Additional controls were managed via a tablet-like touchscreen and rotary dial. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and featured a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The SX trim offered advanced features like smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM-specific features included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, teen-driver monitoring, and Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system. Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on mapped roads, although manual control handoffs could be abrupt. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication.