2022 Cadillac Escalade

History/Overview

The Cadillac Escalade has been the brand’s flagship model and key luxury SUV model for more than two decades. However, it’s only since 2015 that the Escalade has been a serious alternative to the poshest European SUVs, thanks to ever-increasing levels of refinement and the continuous efforts of Cadillac’s styling department. A fifth-generation Escalade arrived last year with the model’s first-ever independent rear suspension.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

New for 2022, the base Luxury trim level gets lane keep assist and lane departure warning as standard; and Premium Luxury and Sport trims are now standard with adaptive cruise, enhanced forward automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking, all of which were optional in those trims for 2021.

Available Trims

Cadillac offers the Escalade in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels, the last two of which can be augmented with a Platinum package. Standard in all is a 6.2L gas V8, with a 3.0L turbodiesel being optional in all trims. A 10-speed transmission and four-wheel drive are included regardless of engine and trim.

There’s also an extended-length Escalade ESV, which is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry.

Standard Features

Luxury trim comes with a hands-free tailgate, auto-levelling LED headlights, power-folding mirrors with driver’s side auto-dimming, LED taillights, and rain-sensing wipers.

Inside, there’s a 19-speaker audio, power front seats, ambient lighting, digital gauges, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, heated front and second-row seats and steering wheel, auto-dimming mirror, navigation with augmented reality, power steering wheel adjustments, three-zone A/C, and wireless phone charging.

The standard safety suite comprises automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, surround vision cameras, front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning.

All Escalade trims ride on 22-inch wheels.

Premium Luxury and Sport both add a panoramic sunroof, digital rearview mirror, automatic park assist, head-up display, ventilated front seats, rear pedestrian and cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise. Premium Luxury alone gets a performance package of magnetic ride control, limited slip differential, trailer blind spot monitor, and hitch view camera.

The Premium Luxury and Sport Platinum packages add distinct wheel designs, power side steps, soft-close doors, air suspension, premium adjustable and massaging front seats, 36-speaker audio, lighted sill plates, platinum interior trim, and rear-seat entertainment.

Key Options

Escalade options include a heavy-duty trailering package; and a performance upgrade package with upgraded air intake and exhaust systems.

Fuel Economy

Cadillac’s fuel consumption estimates are 16.3/12.7 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 6.2L V8, and 11.7/9.0 L/100 km for diesel models.

Competition

The Escalade competes with the Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, Audi Q7, BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Infiniti QX80, and Lexus LX.