2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, with a slightly lower height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving the ESV a more balanced appearance. The exterior boasted chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims, all riding on 22-inch wheels with varying finishes. The ESV's grille design varied across trim levels, and it came equipped with luxury features like LED headlights, power-extending assist steps, and a panoramic moonroof option. Despite its luxurious exterior, the interior fell short in terms of poshness, with hard plastics and a lack of unique dashboard trimmings, which was disappointing for a vehicle priced near or above $90,000.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of Hyundai's new Ioniq EV lineup, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, embodying a Parametric Pixel design reminiscent of 8-bit graphics. This design was evident in the extensive use of pixels in all lighting elements, creating a concept car-like appearance. The Ioniq 5 featured aerodynamic wheels with ornamental designs and a unique set of horizontal lines around the vehicle's bottom half. Inside, the cabin offered a "Living Space" theme with mellow color options and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat, providing a zero-gravity resting position. The interior utilized sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, and incorporated the Parametric Pixel theme in subtle details. The Ioniq 5's interior was comfortable and supportive, with a focus on relaxation and sustainability.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed challenges for the engine when towing. Fuel economy was not rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in combined driving conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and offered two drive configurations: rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The base SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and a 303-mile range. The AWD version used a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, offering a 256-mile range. The Ioniq 5's performance was typical for a midsize crossover, with RWD providing better dynamics. The Limited AWD trim handled various road conditions with composure, and its Sport mode added excitement but reduced range. The Ioniq 5 featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels and focused on reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) with acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. Upgrades included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, ionizing technology, and a panoramic sunroof. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row suitable for occasional adult use. 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. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension facilitated entry and exit and helped avoid obstacles.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilized the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering improved EV capabilities and a longer wheelbase for maximizing interior space. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 was sized like an electric SUV, with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort with a measured passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet. The interior featured soft touchpoints and a moveable center console, allowing for flexible seating arrangements. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, with bolsters providing security for various body types.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Standard tech included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV boasted a curved 38-inch OLED screen housing three displays for driver information and infotainment. The screen's deep blacks and crisp graphics enhanced the cabin's ambiance. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. Super Cruise included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, though it occasionally struggled in certain conditions. The lane-change technology worked well but could be slow in heavy traffic. Super Cruise required driver intervention when it disengaged, alerting the driver with visual and audible cues.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices. The Ioniq 5 partnered with Electrify America for unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The vehicle's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The Ioniq 5's 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility. The vehicle's technology extended to safety systems, with Hyundai SmartSense offering a suite of advanced driving assistance features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test due to its top-heavy design.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5's driving data was linked to individual Blue Link profiles for personalized driving experiences. The vehicle also offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. Safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, but Hyundai's track record suggested high marks were likely.