2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its Kia siblings like the Telluride and EV9. This transformation included a robust new front end, enhanced taillights, and a more sophisticated cockpit. The exterior featured a prominent grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving the Sorento a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear updates were subtle, with higher trims receiving LED taillights and new bumpers. The Sorento's trims in Canada included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, each offering distinct visual elements like blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint colours.

Inside, the Sorento boasted a redesigned dashboard with a cleaner look, featuring a combined gauge cluster and infotainment display under a single pane of glass. Higher trims offered twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats. A brown interior colour option added character, and the overall assembly felt more upscale than some competitors. The 2024 Sorento was solidly built, offering a more premium feel compared to other midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Blazer or Honda Passport.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was the largest and most expensive Cadillac available. It continued to embody old-school Cadillac luxury, distinguishing itself from the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL with which it shared a platform. The 2025 design update brought the Escalade stylistically closer to Cadillac EVs, with large vertical headlights and smaller horizontal daytime running lights. The rear retained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs, and 24-inch wheels were available for the first time, enhancing its imposing presence.

Cadillac offered standard and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV body styles with various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. The interior featured a screen-centric design, with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. Luxury base models had synthetic leather upholstery, while higher trims offered real leather and curated interior motifs. The Premium Luxury Platinum model impressed with Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, showcasing a level of finish unexpected from a mainstream automaker. Despite sharing a platform with other GM SUVs, the Escalade's interior felt distinct and luxurious.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but its performance was considered underwhelming. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. Turbocharged Sorentos offered lively acceleration and ample passing power, with zero-to-100 times in the mid-seven-second range.

All Sorentos in Canada came with all-wheel drive, with varying ground clearance depending on the trim. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Line and X-Pro trims offered enhanced off-road capabilities, with the X-Pro featuring 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires for improved grip. The X-Pro also had a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms, making it suitable for light off-road adventures. Fuel economy for gas-powered Sorentos was average, with the non-turbo powertrain achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres combined, while the turbocharged version rated at 10.3 L/100 km combined.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel engine, leaving only the 6.2-litre V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. All models had a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient gear shifts. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard on most models, with the Escalade-V having a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system.

The Escalade's Magnetic Ride Control damping system, combined with optional air suspension, offered a comfortable ride, though it couldn't match the handling of unibody SUVs like the BMW X7. The V8 engine provided strong acceleration, but the brakes lacked confidence. Cadillac offered a Performance Upgrade Package with Brembo six-piston front calipers for improved braking performance. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, with the standard-wheelbase model rated at 3,675 kilograms and the ESV at 3,628 kilograms.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample space in the first two rows but limited room in the third. It offered advantages over smaller SUVs with optional third rows, like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan, and was nearly as roomy as larger alternatives like the Toyota Highlander. The Sorento provided 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 mm in the second row, with comfortable seats and optional noise-insulating acoustic glass. The third row had 752 mm of legroom, suitable for occasional use by children.

Cargo space was compromised with the third row in use, offering only 357 litres. Folding it down increased capacity to 1,090 to 1,274 litres, depending on trim, and up to 2,139 litres with all seats down. The Sorento's controls were ergonomic, with ample small-item storage. Higher trims featured a power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered spacious interiors in both standard and long-wheelbase configurations. The ESV model provided additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade accommodated up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. It boasted the most first-row headroom in its class, though second and third-row headroom was slightly less than competitors. The standard-length model offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and 3,412 litres behind the front seats, with ESV models providing even more space.

The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, with the standard-wheelbase model rated at 3,675 kilograms and the ESV at 3,628 kilograms. While it could tow as much as a Range Rover or Lexus LX, it lacked some of the towing features offered by competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch screen for all models. Higher trims had a second 12.3-inch digital display. The infotainment system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), was redesigned for ease of use, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system could receive over-the-air updates, and USB-C outlets were available in all three rows. Higher trims offered a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. It included a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added 12.6-inch screens, dual wireless chargers, and upgraded seats with massage and headrest speakers.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento earned "Good" ratings in some IIHS tests, but its LATCH system received an "Acceptable" rating. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model were not yet available.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade included standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. It featured GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system, which had improved since previous tests. Current crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.