2023 Cadillac Escalade

History/Overview

The Escalade is Cadillac’s highest-profile vehicle in more ways than one. Its bold, showy appearance is a perfect fit with the modern, upscale image the brand wants to project; meanwhile, this full-size SUV is, quite simply, huge.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

This year, Cadillac introduces the first-ever Escalade V, a legitimate high-performance take on this big utility.

Available Trims

Cadillac offers the Escalade in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series configurations. Premium Luxury and Sport can be augmented with a Platinum package. All Escalade models are standard with a 6.2L V8, which adds supercharging in V-Series form. A 10-speed transmission and AWD are included at all price points. All but V-Series models can be optioned with a 3.0L diesel engine.

An extended-length Escalade EXV is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry.

Standard Features

Luxury trim comes with 22-inch wheels, auto-levelling/auto on-off LED headlights, auto-dimming/power-folding side mirrors, hands-free tailgate, and passive keyless entry. Inside, there are eight-way power seats, a 19-speaker stereo, 14.2-inch driver info and 16.9-inch infotainment displays, heated front/rear seats and steering wheel, an auto-dimming mirror with integrated garage remote, navigation, power-folding third row seats, electric steering column adjustments, three-zone A/C, and wireless phone charging. Standard safety features include forward collision mitigation, front/rear park assist, surround-view cameras, lane keep assist, and front/rear pedestrian alert.

Premium Luxury and Sport trims add a panoramic roof, a digital rearview mirror, adaptive cruise control, automatic park assist, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and leather upholstery. Premium Luxury also gets magnetic ride control, trailer blind spot monitoring, and hitch guidance.

Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims bring a different wheel design, power-retractable side steps, puddle lights, 12-way power front seats, a 36-speaker stereo, leather dash/console/door trim, suede headliner/pillar trim, massaging front seats, air suspension, and soft-close doors.

Finally, Escalade V gets adaptive headlights, unique wheels, active noise cancellation, and night vision.

Key Options

A touring package adds soft-close doors and air ride to sub-Platinum trims. There’s also a heavy-duty trailering package for buyers who plan to put their Escalade to work.

Fuel Economy

Cadillac’s fuel consumption estimates for the Escalade start at 16.6/13.1 L/100 km (city/highway) for the base V8 powertrain, while the optional diesel cuts those ratings to 11.7/9.0 L/100 km. The Escalade V goes the other way with eye-watering estimates of 21.6/14.9 L/100 km.

Competition

The Escalade’s key competitors are the Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX80, and Lexus LX. You can also shop it against Europeans like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Land Rover Range Rover, BMW X7, and Audi Q7.