Overview
The third model year of the current Escalade shows that, despite still sharing similarities with the Yukon and the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban, it has the luxury credentials to compete with expensive rivals like the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Lexus LX600. In fact, it defeated those three rivals in a comparison test conducted last year, earning a spot on our 2024 Editors’ Choice list. The Escalade received a facelift in 2021, and Cadillac debuted the Escalade V trim last year, which sports an aggressive new look and approximately 700 horsepower a ridiculously high amount of power for a huge SUV that weighs close to 6,000 pounds.
Give the Escalade credit for its comfortable ride and safe handling; its potent 6.2-liter V-8 engine (a torque-boosting turbo-diesel inline-six is also an option); and its luxurious cabin, which includes a curved OLED digital display. The Escalade is still available with the normal length body style or the longer ESV version, which offers a substantial increase in cargo space behind the third-row seat. Additionally, a powerful new V-series model with a supercharged V-8 producing 682 horsepower was added to the roster as the high-performance flagship last year.
The New thing in 2024 Model
Cadillac is reportedly focusing its efforts on the Escalade iQ, the electric variant that has previously been revealed and is expected to go on sale later this year.
Engine Transmission and Performance
The 6.2-liter V-8 engine that powers Cadillac’s largest SUV produces 420 horsepower and has the ability to shut off half of its cylinders when traveling to conserve gasoline. A 3.0-liter diesel inline-six is also an option. Both engines come with a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard, and purchasers can select between rear- or all-wheel drive.
Because of its independent rear suspension, the Escalade has more third-row legroom than its predecessor, which was limited by the solid back axle. Air springs with adjustable dampers are also available on higher-end trims. The V-8-powered long-wheelbase Escalade ESV reached 60 mph at our test track in a mere 5.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy
Gas rear-wheel drive V-8 Escalades have combined fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg, 19 mpg on the highway, and 14 mpg in the city; adding all-wheel drive reduces the highway figure by 1 mpg. The performance-focused V model, which gets EPA ratings of 11 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway, is significantly less efficient. Choosing the turbo-diesel engine has a significant impact because of its high EPA estimations of 21 city and 27 highway mpg. An optional diesel engine in an all-wheel-drive Escalade achieved 26 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test route at 75 mph.
Interior Comfort and Cargo Space
Elevate your in-cabin experience with the Cadillac Escalade, the flagship model in the series. The standard Luxury trim is made of faux leather, while the genuine stuff is found in all additional trims, with extra-soft semi-aniline hides found in Platinum versions. Although some switchgear is shared with less expensive GM cars, features like leather-covered door panels, metal speaker grilles, and adjustable interior ambient lighting give the vehicle an elegant appearance. There is a normal ESV model as well as a long-wheelbase model, the latter of which provides extra cargo space and better legroom for third-row passengers.
​
Infotainment System and Connectivity
The electronics on the Escalade have been upgraded by Cadillac. The digital dashboard, which consists of three curved OLED displays stacked on top of one another to create an impressive 38 inches of combined digital real estate, is the centerpiece of the vehicle. One of the displays is used as the driver’s gauge cluster, and the other displays the CUE infotainment system for both the driver and the passenger.
Additional technological elements include a navigation system with augmented reality and an entertainment package for the rear seats that comes with two 12.6-inch streaming displays. Additionally standard are a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connection. Whichever Escalade model they select, audiophiles are in for a treat. Cadillac and AKG collaborated to create the basic and optional audio systems for the Escalade. For the Luxury, Sport, and Premium Luxury models, a 19-speaker Studio Sound system is standard; however, the Platinum trims receive an AKG Studio Reference system with an astounding 36 speakers.
Driver Assistance and Safety Features
Super Cruise is a hands-free driving assistance technology that can be used on roads that are suitable. In certain situations, the system monitors your attention to the road and steers the car to maintain lane position or make a lane change.
Front Pedestrian Braking
When it senses a person right in front of you, front pedestrian braking can assist you avoid or lessen the severity of a front-end collision. In addition to providing pedestrian alerts, it can also strengthen the driver’s harsh braking or automatically apply severe emergency braking. The system can operate at five to fifty miles per hour. It performs poorly in low visibility and at night.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Automatic Emergency Braking can assist you in preventing or lessening the severity of an accident with a detected vehicle you are following at speeds greater than 5 mph and up to highway speeds. Utilizing camera technology, hard emergency braking can be activated automatically or the driver’s hard braking can be improved.
