2023 Cadillac Escalade Overview, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

The Cadillac Escalade has lengthy served because the model’s flagship, its large dimension and aggressive appears to be like broadcasting its extroverted, red-blooded American tackle luxurious. Regardless of being primarily based on the identical underpinnings because the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Yukon, the Escalade makes a strong case as a competitor to different giant luxurious SUVs just like the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-class. That’s as a result of the large Caddy options the model’s most superior know-how and most luxurious options. Its cabin is lined with wooden, leather-based, designer materials, and satin-finished metals. A big, curved show sweeps throughout the dashboard, serving as each a gauge cluster and an infotainment heart. A bunch of driver-assistance options can be found, together with Cadillac’s wonderful Tremendous Cruise system, which mixes adaptive cruise management with a hands-free driving mode. Patrons can select from a robust 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 or a diesel-powered inline-six, and this 12 months Cadillac provides a wild high-performance V-series mannequin with mega horsepower to the Escalade lineup. Time will inform if the brand new hi-po Escalade is an elephant that may dance, however given the good athleticism of Cadillac’s current Blackwing-powered sedans, shade us hopeful.

What’s New for 2023?

This 12 months marks the delivery of the primary V-series Escalade. The high-performance Escalade V is more likely to be powered by a 682-hp version of the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine borrowed from the 10Best award-winning CT5-V Blackwing sedan. It additionally rocks a menacing, blacked-out exterior look. The V mannequin comes normal with all-wheel drive and sports activities six-piston Brembo efficiency brakes with red-painted calipers. The Escalade’s air suspension has been retuned to reinforce dealing with within the V mannequin. The Escalade V will go on sale in the summertime of 2022 and can sit atop the Cadillac lineup with a $149,990 beginning worth.

Pricing and Which One to Purchase

To deck out the Escalade with its greatest options, go for the Premium Luxurious Platinum trim. It provides semi-aniline leather-based, 16-way power-adjustable entrance seats with therapeutic massage, soft-close doorways, and an AKG audio system with 36 audio system. It additionally comes normal with a self-parking characteristic, a head-up show, and adaptive cruise management. For efficiency fireworks, after all, there’s a one-letter reply: V.

Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

Cadillac’s greatest SUV is powered by a normal 6.2-liter V-8 engine that makes 420 horsepower and may deactivate half of its cylinders when cruising to avoid wasting gas; a 3.0-liter diesel inline-six can also be accessible. A ten-speed computerized transmission is normal with each engines, and consumers can select from rear- or all-wheel-drive setups. As with its siblings, the current-generation Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon, the Escalade rides on an independent rear suspension that gives extra third-row legroom, which was compromised within the earlier strong rear-axle mannequin. Greater-end trims additionally supply an air suspension with adaptive dampers. At our take a look at monitor, the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV with the V-8 engine sprinted to 60 mph in simply 5.9 seconds. The 277-hp diesel engine doesn’t ship practically the straight-line efficiency of the usual V-8, however for some consumers that compromise is definitely worth the improved gas financial system and punchy 460 lb-ft of low-end torque. For these Escalade followers with a necessity for velocity, solely the V will do. It’s powered by a beastly supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 making 682 horsepower, which proved to be sufficient energy to blast the large SUV to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds at our take a look at monitor. Throughout our preliminary take a look at drive, we had been impressed with the V-8’s energy and its baritone burble. The modifications to the SUV’s suspension make it deal with higher than the usual SUV, however the Escalade nonetheless would not really feel as nimble as rivals such because the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 or the BMW Alpina XB7.

Gasoline Economic system and Actual-World MPG

Rear-wheel drive Escalades are rated at 15 mpg metropolis, 20 mpg freeway, and 17 mpg mixed; including all-wheel drive drops every of these numbers by 1 mpg. The performance-oriented V mannequin is way much less environment friendly, incomes EPA rankings of 11 mpg metropolis and 16 mpg freeway. Choosing the turbo-diesel engine makes a giant distinction, with EPA estimates as excessive as 21 mpg metropolis and 27 mpg freeway. On our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy take a look at route, an all-wheel drive Escalade with the non-obligatory diesel engine returned 26 mpg. For extra details about the Escalade’s gas financial system, go to the EPA’s website.

Inside, Consolation, and Cargo

Because the flagship of the Cadillac lineup, the Escalade ups the ante on in-cabin luxurious. Fake leather-based is used within the base Luxurious trim, however all different trims obtain the true deal, with Platinum fashions getting comfortable semi-aniline hides. Leather-based-covered sprint and door panels, aluminum speaker grilles, and adjustable inside ambient lighting present an upscale look. Just like the outgoing mannequin, each a normal and long-wheelbase model are provided, the latter of which yields extra legroom for third-row riders and extra cargo house.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Cadillac has tricked out the Escalade within the electronics division. The primary showpiece is the digital dashboard, which is comprised of three curved OLED shows that layer on prime of each other to create a cool 38-inches of mixed digital actual property, a few of which function the motive force’s gauge cluster whereas the remainder initiatives the CUE infotainment system for the motive force and passenger. The gathering of shows is harking back to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class’s large monolithic infotainment setup, however the Escalade’s stacked setup creates depth and appears higher built-in than the Benz’s. Different tech options embody an augmented-reality navigation system and an accessible rear-seat leisure package deal that features two 12.6-inch shows with streaming functionality. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and a Wi-Fi hotspot are additionally normal. Audiophiles will likely be in for a deal with irrespective of which Escalade mannequin they select. Cadillac has partnered with Grammy-award-winning audio and acoustics firm AKG to develop the Escalade’s normal and non-obligatory sound methods. A 19-speaker Studio Sound system is normal on the Luxurious, Sport, and Premium Luxurious fashions, however Platinum trims get the AKG Studio Reference system with a whopping 36 audio system.

Security and Driver-Help Options

Cadillac is ready on making its flagship SUV a showcase for driver-assistance technology, and along with making most of the hottest active-safety options normal, Cadillac additionally provides its wonderful Super Cruise adaptive-cruise system, which permits hands-free driving. For extra details about the Escalade’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:

• Customary automated emergency braking with entrance and rear pedestrian detection
• Customary lane-departure warning with lane-keeping help
• Obtainable adaptive cruise management with hands-free driving mode

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

The 2023 Escalade provides the identical normal guarantee package deal as the remainder of the Cadillac lineup. Its powertrain guarantee stretches for longer than rivals such because the GLS-class and the BMW X7, however the BMW’s complimentary scheduled upkeep plan is much better than the Caddy’s.

• Restricted guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary upkeep is roofed for the primary go to

More Features and Specs