2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, presented a fresh design opportunity unburdened by a long legacy of design language. This allowed the GV80 to incorporate innovative styling cues while maintaining a connection with the brand's sedans. The SUV's elegant two-box design featured a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and the Genesis flying "G" badge. The Quad Lamp LED headlight array and trapezoidal tailpipes added to its signature look. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch high-definition display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like center console with minimal controls.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, an extended version of the Escalade, benefited from a complete redesign for the model year. Its increased length and wheelbase enhanced cargo space and stability, giving it a more proportionate appearance. The Escalade ESV featured chrome styling on luxury trims and blacked-out accents on sportier versions, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The interior, while comfortable, was less luxurious in lighter color schemes, with hard plastics and standard GM switches. However, it offered ample legroom and cargo space, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, and a hands-free power liftgate, albeit with some operational quirks.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's ride was enhanced by independent multi-link suspension and, on 3.5T models, an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The 2.5T models had a curb weight between 4,506 and 4,850 lbs, while the 3.5T models weighed between 4,907 and 5,104 lbs. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was rated at 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with RWD, and the 3.5T AWD at 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered a choice between a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive options. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level. While the V8 provided sufficient power, it lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The EPA rated the traditional Escalade at 17 to 23 mpg combined, with the RWD Escalade ESV averaging around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology, design, and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capability. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was comfortable for two adults, with power seats and window shades available. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding and split 50/50 seats.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, with leatherette seating surfaces standard and leather upholstery available. It offered 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with a spacious third row. 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 power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it sometimes required manual adjustment of the second-row seats.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered user-configurable split-screen displays and over-the-air updates. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while Genesis Connected Services provided remote start, vehicle health reports, and more. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims. The standard audio system included 12 speakers, with an optional Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system boasting 21 speakers and 1050 watts.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV highlighted technology with a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, upgradeable to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, and a curved 38-inch OLED screen housing three displays. The Escalade ESV offered Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled with new road construction and lane changes in heavy traffic. Despite these issues, Super Cruise was a valuable feature for highway driving.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. It came equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, as well as Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety technologies included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, and night vision. The NHTSA awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rollover test score, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.