The Cadillac Escalade has long been the brand’s flagship, its enormous size and intimidating appearance promoting its outgoing, red-blooded American approach to luxury. The Escalade makes a strong argument to be a rival to other large luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-class while sharing the same platform as the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon. This is due to the large Caddy’s inclusion of the most luxury and cutting-edge amenities available from the manufacturer. Wood, leather, high-end textiles, and satin-finished metals are used to line the cabin.
The dashboard has a huge, curvy display that doubles as an infotainment hub and gauge cluster. The outstanding Cadillac Super Cruise system, which combines adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode, is just one of the many available driver aid systems. Customers may pick between a potent 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 and a diesel-powered inline-six, and this year Cadillac is expanding the Escalade lineup with a crazy high-performance V-series variant with massive horsepower. If the new hi-po Escalade is an elephant that can dance, only time will tell, but considering the amazing agility of Cadillac’s most recent Blackwing-powered cars, we have reason to be optimistic.
Get the Cadillac Escalade digital brochure here.
What’s New in 2023 Cadillac Escalade
The first Escalade from the V-series was introduced this year. The supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine from the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, winner of the 10Best award, is anticipated to provide the high-performance Escalade V with its 682-hp version. Additionally, it has a sinister, pitch-black exterior. The V variant has six-piston Brembo performance brakes with red-painted callipers as well as all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The V model Escalade’s air suspension has been adjusted to improve handling. With a starting price of $149,990, the Escalade V will be the most expensive model offered by Cadillac when it goes on sale in the summer of 2022.
Pricing
Choose the Premium Luxury Platinum trim to outfit the Escalade with all of its greatest features. It has semi-aniline leather, front seats with 16-way power adjustments and massage, soft-close doors, and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. Self-parking, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control are further standard features. Of all, there is only one letter to describe performance fireworks: V.
Performance of 2023 Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac’s largest SUV is propelled by a standard 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 420 horsepower and the option to turn down half of its cylinders to save fuel consumption when driving. A 3.0-liter diesel inline-six engine is also offered. Both engines come with a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment, and customers may opt between rear- or all-wheel drive. The Escalade rides on an independent rear suspension like its brothers, the current-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon, which increases third-row legroom, which was restricted in the prior solid rear-axle type. Additionally, higher-end versions come with an air suspension and adjustable dampers.
The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV’s V-8 engine accelerated to 60 mph on our test track in 5.9 seconds. Although the 277-hp diesel engine falls short of the conventional V-8 in terms of straight-line performance, for some purchasers the trade-off is worth it for the increased fuel efficiency and powerful 460 lb-ft of low-end torque. Only the V will suffice for Escalade enthusiasts with a craving for speed. It is driven by an intimidating 6.2-liter V-8 engine that has been supercharged and produces 682 horsepower. On our test track, this engine was able to propel the large SUV from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds. We were pleased by the V-8’s power and its baritone burble on our maiden test drive. The Escalade handles better than a conventional SUV thanks to suspension tweaks, but it still doesn’t seem as agile as competitors like the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 or the BMW Alpina XB7.
Fuel Economy
Escalades with rear-wheel drive are rated at 15 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the interstate, and 17 mpg overall; all-wheel drive reduces each of those ratings by 1 mpg. EPA figures for the performance-focused V variant are 11 mpg city and 16 mpg highway, making it much less efficient. The turbo-diesel engine is a significant improvement, with EPA ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate. An Escalade with all-wheel drive and the optional diesel engine achieved 26 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test route travelling at 75 mph.
Interior of 2023 Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade raises the bar for in-cabin luxury as the Cadillac lineup’s flagship. The base Luxury trim uses faux leather, but all additional trims utilise genuine leather, with Platinum versions receiving supple semi-aniline hides. An upmarket look is provided by the dash and door panels being upholstered in leather, the speaker grilles being made of metal, and the adjustable ambient lighting. Both a normal and long-wheelbase variant are available, similar to the previous model, with the latter offering greater legroom for third-row passengers and more luggage area.
Infotainment
The Escalade has been upgraded by Cadillac in terms of technology. The digital dashboard, which is the vehicle’s centre of attention, is made up of three curved OLED displays that stack on top of one another to create a cool 38 inches of combined digital space. Some of these displays serve as the driver’s gauge cluster, while the remaining ones project the CUE infotainment system for the driver and passenger. The assortment of screens is reminiscent of the massive monolithic infotainment arrangement seen in the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class, but the Escalade’s stacked design adds depth and appears more seamless than the Benz’s.
An augmented reality navigation system and an optional rear-seat entertainment package with two 12.6-inch monitors with streaming functionality are further technological elements. A Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration are further standard features. Whichever Escalade model is chosen, audiophiles are in for a treat. Cadillac collaborated with Grammy-winning audio and acoustics company AKG to create the basic and optional audio systems for the Escalade. The Luxury, Sport, and Premium Luxury versions come standard with a 19-speaker Studio Sound system, but Platinum trims receive the massive 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system.
Conclusion
The Escalade is Cadillac’s traditional flagship, but it also comes in a high-performance version and is loaded with cutting-edge technology. The enormous 2023 Cadillac Escalade is a flagship in every sense of the term and exudes technology, elegance, and comfort. Stay tuned to Auto Tech Portal for more automobile related content.
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