The Cadillac Escalade competes quite nicely with Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Mercedes GLS Class. Having driven each of the aforementioned vehicles, I have the Escalade winning best quality by a nose.
Escalade is powered by a 420-horsepower supercharged 6.2L V8 engine coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. Dynamic Fuel Management system can disable the cylinders down to just 2 active ones. This helps the Escalade to achieve 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway for a combined average of 16 mpg. Brembo performance brakes with red painted calipers provide stopping power while adding to the sporty ensemble. Escalade does 0-60 in just 5.9 seconds.
The Premium Luxury trim adds aniline leather, 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, soft-close doors, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio Audio System. Escalade comes standard with Rear Park Assist, full-color head-up display (HUD), and adaptive cruise control.
The main showpiece is the digital dashboard, which is comprised of two curved OLED display planes that layer on top of one another to create combined digital “real estate” 38 inches diagonally across three displays. Some of these serve as the driver’s gauge cluster. The rest projects the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system interface for driver and passenger to control.
The entertainment package includes two 12.6-inch rear-seat displays with streaming capabilities. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported and Wi-Fi Hotspot is also standard. Automated Emergency Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking are standard, along with Lane Departure Warning with Lane keeping Assist.
Escalade rides on independent rear suspension, providing additional third-row legroom that had been compromised in previous rear axle models.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating gave 2023 Cadillac Escalade a 4-Star Overall Safety Rating. In the front crash tests, it scored 5 stars for Front Driver Side and 4 stars for Front Passenger Side. The Side Crash category gave perfect 5-star ratings for all tests. Finally, it received a 3-star rating in the Rollover category.
Cadillac Escalade has a top notch interior. The car manual is digital and displayed on the infotainment system screen.
Escalade is big, powerful, and luxurious with 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, and this expands to 121 cubic feet with 2nd and 3rd row seats folded.
This Cadillac is flexible as well as powerful. With a refined engine, Magnetic Ride Control, plus Air Ride Adaptive Suspension it drives like a dream while providing a quiet, cool cabin.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage. 4 years/50,000 miles Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty 6 years/70,000 miles Powertrain Limited Warranty 6 years/70,000 miles Roadside Assistance Program Complimentary Maintenance is covered for the first visit.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or durhlcaussey@gmail.com.