2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

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, and slightly lower at 76.4 inches. This additional length was added to the back end, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride with a 134.1-inch wheelbase. The Escalade ESV's design was characterized by its big SUV look, with chrome styling on Luxury trims and blacked-out accents on Sport trims. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The grille design also varied across trim levels, adding to its luxurious appearance. Standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while options like a panoramic moonroof and heated mirrors were available. 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 Tucson Hybrid showcased a dramatic new design, with sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides. It was longer and wider than its predecessor, making it easily distinguishable from the 2021 model. The Tucson's exterior styling was bold and futuristic, with a grille that seamlessly blended with the LED headlights and running lights. The Limited trim featured a dark chrome finish on the grille, enhancing its modern look. The base Blue trim shared design cues with the SEL Convenience trim, but with smaller 17-inch wheels. The interior offered heated front seats, cloth upholstery, and an eight-way power driver seat on the Blue trim, while the SEL Convenience added a digital driver information display and wireless device charging. The Limited trim further enhanced the interior with ambient lighting and ventilated front seats. The Tucson's interior was open and airy, with a nearly unobstructed view thanks to the integrated infotainment display and hoodless driver information display. However, the large windshield and sunroof could cause the interior to heat up quickly, though the fast-acting air conditioning and ventilated seats helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for high-speed passing. The Escalade ESV's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, which could challenge the engine when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All Tucson Hybrids came with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a six-speed automatic transmission. The steering was responsive and direct, and the suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections while maintaining balance through corners. The Tucson Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined, with the Blue trim rated at 38 mpg across the board. During testing, it averaged 36.5 mpg. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even greater efficiency with an 80 MPGe rating and 33 miles of all-electric range.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces with available leather upholstery. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Upgrades included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was less accommodating for adults. 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, while upscale features like a center console cooler were available.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered a spacious interior with a longer and wider footprint than its predecessor. It provided 38.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, expanding to 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Tucson's cargo floor featured a dual-level system for flexible storage options. Front and rear legroom exceeded 41 inches, and the rear seats reclined for added comfort. The interior included angled bottle holders in the doors, two cupholders in the center console, and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders in the rear seat. The Limited trim's ambient lighting added flair to the cabin.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system for an immersive sound experience. Standard features included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV featured a curved 38-inch OLED screen, comprising three screens for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks for a serene cabin during nighttime driving. The infotainment screen offered crisp graphics and intuitive menu layers. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. However, it occasionally struggled with lane changes and required driver intervention in certain conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim, though Android Auto and Apple CarPlay only utilized about 8 inches of the screen. The smaller 8-inch screen in the Blue and SEL Convenience trims offered wireless connectivity for these features. The infotainment and HVAC controls were touch-capacitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use. However, steering-wheel controls provided an alternative for managing infotainment commands. The Tucson offered multiple USB ports, including two for rear-seat passengers, and a Bose premium stereo in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA awarded 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 Tucson Hybrid offered comprehensive safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, safe-exit warning, and rear occupant alert. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist with adaptive cruise control, navigation, blind-spot view monitor, and remote smart park assist. The IIHS awarded the Tucson a Top Safety Pick+.