2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid 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 of 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its 134.1-inch wheelbase. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with finishes varying by trim. The vehicle's exterior was equipped with features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, contributing to its upscale look.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes, where the use of hard plastics detracted from its luxury appeal. Despite its high price point, the dashboard area lacked distinctive features. The vehicle offered various packages to enhance its exterior and interior, but the overall interior design fell short of expectations for a luxury SUV in its price range.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was available in four trim levels: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim exuded style and presence, with the base SEL trim featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and a prominent grille with LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile included body-color, heated side mirrors, with higher trims adding power-folding and auto-dimming features. The rear design was equally appealing, with wide-spaced letters and LED taillights. The Palisade Hybrid's interior was impressive, offering H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and three-stage heating elements as standard. Higher trims added features like Nappa leather upholstery and integrated driver's seat memory settings. The interior design was thoughtfully crafted, with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer sense of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

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 engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power but lacked low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, contributed to its performance challenges. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. The turbo-four engine alone produced 258 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the combined output with the electric motors reached 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Palisade Hybrid's advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system contributed to its impressive performance, allowing it to handle various driving situations with ease. The hybrid system optimized power distribution, enhancing handling and fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was notably quiet, with noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass reducing road and engine noise. The steering was sharp, providing a responsive driving experience, although the pedal feel was softer than expected.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed for comfort and cargo capacity, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated seats in the first and second rows, and a heated steering wheel. The vehicle provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row offering decent space for adults. The Escalade ESV boasted 126.6 cubic feet of cargo space 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, although it occasionally required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient but not always reliable, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others. The second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery's placement, but it remained competitive. The third row provided 32.1 inches of legroom, with the Calligraphy trim offering 33.6 inches. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, featuring three-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and seating for seven or eight, depending on the configuration. The interior included numerous storage compartments, such as a rubberized cargo space in the center console and a small shelf ahead of the front-passenger seat.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with a 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The vehicle's standout feature was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise advanced driving assist system was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in specific conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. The lane-change technology worked as advertised but could be slow in heavy traffic.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. It supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Palisade Hybrid featured a Passenger Talk intercom system for easier communication between rows. Higher trims added a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The vehicle introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

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-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, night vision, adaptive cruise control, enhanced 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.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. The Palisade Hybrid's ADAS tech performed reliably during testing, with no false alerts. At the time of writing, crash test ratings were not available for the 2026 Palisade Hybrid.