Cadillac Escalade vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport was a commanding presence on the road, with its substantial dimensions of 5,383 millimetres in length and 1,948 mm in height. It was available in Sport and Luxury trims, with the Sport version featuring a blacked-out exterior that included dark window surrounds, black roof rails, and a mesh grille, giving it a more aggressive look compared to the chrome-heavy Luxury models. The Deep Sea Metallic paint and 24-inch seven-spoke wheels added to its striking appearance. Inside, the Escalade boasted Sheer Grey and Jet Black semi-aniline leather with faceted quilting, providing a premium feel. The 55-inch curved display across the dashboard was a standout feature, although the reliance on haptic touchscreen buttons over physical controls was a minor drawback. Despite its truck-platform origins, the Escalade's interior craftsmanship was impressive, though it couldn't fully match the refinement of unibody rivals like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in two trims: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy, both integrating seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille flanked by LED projector headlights and five large LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities in the Luxury Hybrid trim. The rear design was equally appealing, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and stacks of LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade impressed with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The base trims featured H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, while higher trims offered Nappa leather. The interior was filled with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer feel compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade was powered by a robust 6.2-litre V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard on non-V-Series models. Cadillac discontinued the turbodiesel inline-six after 2025, leaving the V8 as the sole engine option. For those seeking more power, the Escalade-V offered a supercharged version of the V8, producing 682 horsepower. On a 500-kilometre road trip, the Escalade achieved 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly better than the estimated 15.0 L/100 km combined. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, absorbing road imperfections with ease. However, the standard brakes lacked confidence under hard stops, making the Brembo brake upgrade a worthwhile consideration.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system contributed to its impressive performance. The Palisade Hybrid's powertrain optimized power distribution, enhancing handling and fuel efficiency. Inside, the cabin was remarkably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp, providing a responsive driving experience, although the pedal feel was somewhat soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid offered a delightful and efficient driving experience for a family crossover.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade offered class-leading cargo space, with 722 litres behind the third row, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,412 litres with both rear rows down. The power-folding second and third rows made reconfiguring the interior easy. For those needing more space, the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV provided 1,175 litres behind the third row. The Escalade seated up to eight, with generous second-row legroom of 1,060 mm. However, the third row was tight for adults, with 886 mm of legroom. Towing capacity was 3,580 kilograms, competitive but trailing the Lincoln Navigator. Power-retractable side steps were standard on Platinum Sport models, aiding entry and exit.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but exceeding others like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The battery's position under the front passenger seat slightly reduced second-row legroom, but it remained competitive. The third row offered 815 mm of legroom, trailing some rivals. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control and seven USB-C power outlets. The second row was spacious, and captain's chairs were available. The Palisade featured numerous storage solutions, including a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf for smaller items.

The 2026 Cadillac Escalade featured a 55-inch curved display spanning the dashboard, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, a 35-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and a 20-inch front passenger screen. The system was responsive and logically organized, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. A 34-speaker AKG audio system was available on the Platinum Sport trim, delivering impressive audio quality. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving system, was standard and performed well in winter conditions. Dual 12.6-inch second-row entertainment screens were standard on Platinum Sport models, with an available Executive Second Row Seating Package adding additional features. However, the voice recognition system lagged behind European rivals.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. The system supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A 14-speaker Bose stereo was available on higher trims. A 15-watt wireless charging pad was standard, though it tended to overheat phones. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a built-in dashcam, recording front and rear views. The Palisade 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 2026 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Super Cruise was also standard, enhancing highway driving. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set speed alerts and review driving reports. The Escalade received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had not been evaluated by the IIHS. The vehicle's size provided an advantage in safety scenarios but also posed blind spot challenges.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with 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, displaying a camera feed in the gauge cluster. The rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. During testing, the Palisade's ADAS tech performed flawlessly. At the time of writing, the 2026 Palisade had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.