2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing presence. It wasn't the only large SUV on the market, but few embraced their size as confidently. The oversized grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were proportioned to match the Escalade's massive frame, with the taillights subtly reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive more than a traditional car. The various styling elements combined to give the Escalade a distinct look, setting it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The 22-inch wheels on the test model appeared small against the vast expanse of sheet metal. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright exterior trim for the Luxury and Premium Luxury models and darkened trim for the Sport model. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM full-size SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, similar to the Lincoln Navigator's approach. Inside, the Escalade's interior featured luxury elements like leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, but lacked a cohesive design theme, with some cheap-looking plastic bits detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen. This wasn't a critique; the Sportage's styling was exciting and exotic, earning attention with features like the bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights framing a distinctive grille and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. Kia offered the Sportage in Canada with five trim levels, starting with the LX trim, which came standard with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive was standard on the X-Line, EX, EX Premium, and X-Line Limited trims. Inside, Kia replaced leather seating with durable synthetic leather, with cloth seats in the base LX trim. While the synthetic leather was more durable, it didn't match the feel of real leather. The Sportage featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob in the X-Line and above trims. The driver's view was excellent, with a large front windshield and low beltline for better visibility. The dash, dominated by over two feet of display in trims above the LX and X-Line, was impressive, though the cabin had typical compact-crossover materials like hard-wearing plastic and piano-black plastic. The dual-zone full automatic climate control was standard from the EX trim.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. For an additional $100, buyers could opt for the Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and, in Canada, a standard four-wheel-drive system. The Escalade-V performance model, available in 2023, featured a 682-horsepower 6.2-litre supercharged V8. The diesel engine, despite its lower horsepower, provided smooth power delivery and a lower torque peak, making it effective for city driving. However, the Escalade's hard brake pedal was less confidence-inspiring. The gasoline engine had a slight towing advantage, with a maximum capacity of 3,629 kilograms, 100 kilograms more than the diesel. The Escalade's ride was unsettled, even with standard independent rear suspension, air suspension, and Magnetic Ride Control dampers. Its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels made it less comfortable than unibody SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The Escalade lacked off-road capabilities compared to its GM cousins, with no equivalent to the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban Z71 or GMC Yukon/Yukon XL AT4.

The 2023 Kia Sportage introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, reviewed separately. The gas-powered Sportage featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It was available with front-wheel drive on the LX trim, with all-wheel drive optional on LX and standard on other trims. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering slightly more power than the previous 2.4-litre engine. Despite the increase, the Sportage's 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque didn't provide a thrilling experience, especially compared to the previous turbocharged engine with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Sportage's fuel economy improved slightly, with 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 7.4 on the highway, and 8.4 combined with front-wheel drive, and 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.5 highway, and 9.5 combined with all-wheel drive. The X-Line trim added rugged visual cues but no additional off-road features. The Sportage handled off-road conditions well, with 21 centimetres of ground clearance on all-wheel-drive models, matching or exceeding most crossovers.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, a high-end version of GM full-size SUVs, shared its body shell and chassis with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, while the extended Escalade ESV was related to the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. The standard Escalade measured 5,382 mm, with the ESV extending to 5,766 mm. This platform sharing resulted in a spacious cabin, offering the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, though the Lincoln Navigator provided more second-row headroom. Standard features included second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40 power split-folding third-row bench seat, with a power-folding 60/40 bench seat available as a no-cost option. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded, surpassing the Navigator. However, the raised centre console offered limited storage space, and the front seats, despite 12-way power adjustability and massage features, felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation and large sun visors for the expansive side-window glass.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, a compact crossover, competed in a crowded segment against popular models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. The new Sportage was 180 mm longer with an 86 mm longer wheelbase than the previous model, offering more ground clearance in all-wheel-drive trims. This increase in size improved interior space, with rear-seat legroom at 1,050 mm and 966 mm of rear headroom. The trunk offered 1,121 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,098 litres with the back seat folded down. The Sportage provided decent storage space in the front seats, with a cubby ahead of the shifter, two tandem cupholders, and a spacious centre console bin. A panoramic sunroof was available. However, the Sportage's technology overcomplicated basic functions, with touch-sensitive HVAC controls that were difficult to use while driving. The dual-functionality of these controls, switching between climate and navigation functions, was frustrating in practice.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an elaborate 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a built-in subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Cadillac integrated the display into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape, and retained physical toggles for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, with views available in the instrument cluster and central touchscreen. The rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots from rear seats or pillars. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. A 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard, though difficult to tune, with front headrest speakers distorting sound for front-seat occupants.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered impressive technology, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on EX-and up trims, paired with a panoramic, curved, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the X-Line Limited. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on the top interface, despite a wireless charger, while the base LX trim had an 8-inch screen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The icons on the screen were similar in appearance, making it difficult to find the right button while driving. Standard features included Bluetooth, keyless entry, and wireless charging on trims above the LX, with rear USB-C charging ports, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and HD Radio standard from EX. The X-Line Limited trim included a Harman Kardon audio system. Despite some quirks, the Sportage was technologically advanced, offering impressive features for its price.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Warnings were delivered through Cadillac’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Premium Luxury and higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring on the same trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was a $2,875 option on most trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. It used a driver-facing camera to ensure attention, with smooth and natural responses. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable for this model year.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered standard collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning. Adaptive cruise control was available from the EX grade. The X-Line Limited trim included blind-view monitor, highway driving assist, front and rear parking sensors, projection LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera. Safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available for the 2023 Sportage.