When you mention Cadillac, many folks conjure an image of America’s top, iconic, luxury brand for many years. And in a couple old episodes, Gerry Seinfeld even bought his Florida-based father a Caddy.
Going back to the 90s, Cadillac introduced the Cadillac Escalade, an SUV to accompany their fine line of sedans and coupes.
Today, Escalade can be considered the major choice of transportation for discriminating buyers like NBA and NFL players to mention a few, as they probably appreciate the interior space (large guys need that), luxury, comfort and inherent quality. Escalade can be had with second row captain’s chairs or a bench seat for 8 passenger seating.
For 2024, Escalade is offered in base Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum (we tested), Sport Premium and hot V-Series with a 682-hp supercharged V8. There’s also the newly debuted Escalade IQ all-electric model.
For starters, Escalade strikes a bold presence with its massive and traditional Cadillac look grille. Even its back end has a striking presence with its thin, vertical taillights and wide, rectangular tailpipe extensions.
Inside, the opulence is evident with sueded pillars, quilted leather seats, massaging front seats that are heated/cooled as are the rears. A total 38-inch curved OLED infotainment display encompasses the 7.2-inch digital gauge cluster for a one-piece look. The premium AKG audio system is enhanced with 36 speakers, four of which are embedded in the front/rear seat headrests. And an UltraView sunroof gives rear passengers a panoramic skyward view.
The suave 16.9-inch infotainment display offers apps, navigation, rear, side, overhead, frontal and revolving cameras, GM’s OnStar assistance, Sirius radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. There’s also a sensor in the top part of the steering wheel that detects driver head position and lets you know if you turn your head away from the road ahead. When entering school zones, a voice announces it so the driver slows down. As an added safety feature, the driver’s seat buzzes when a hazard is sensed in forward and backing modes.
HVAC controls are of the keyboard type and are simple to use with selections displayable on the infotainment screen. The gear selector is dog-leg shaped and controls the 10-speed automatic transmission. A cell charger resides on the console and the dash holds mode switches. One is for the AWD system with a limited-slip differential that offers Auto, 2Hi, 4Hi modes, while the Drive Mode switch offers Tour, Sport, Off-Road, Tow-Haul and My modes. There’s also a Tow-Haul switch for a trailer-brake controller that’s helpful when towing a sizable trailer.
Step-in into the cabin is a low 10 inches to the powered retractable running boards, or 22.5 inches straight in. Front seats are heavily padded, comfy and supportive. Second row captain’s chairs in our test car offered ample leg and head room. The second row also slides fore/aft for easy third row access that also has decent leg room of 34.9 inches.
Back in the cargo area, and with the third-row seats upright, there’s 25.5 cubic feet of space that measures 21 inches deep, 49 wide and 32 high. Flip the third row and space increases to 72.9 cubic feet for 51.5 cubic feet. Need more space, fold the second row and space expands to 121 cubic feet for 84 inches (7 feet) of loading depth. A power, hands-free liftgate makes loading easier especially on rainy days and your hands are full plus a low 33-inch lift-over eases loading heavy items.
Escalade gets its grunt from a proven 6.2-liter, V8 that generates 420-hp and 460 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 14 city, 18-highway mpg. It moves this 5,823-pound SUV with ease and exudes gobs of power. Desire more power? The Escalade-V bolts on a supercharger to the 6.2-liter V8 for a whopping 682-hp and 653 lb/ft of torque that couples via the same 10-speed auto trans. Need added towing muscle? There’s also a Duramax turbo diesel that produces 277-hp and 460 lb/ft of torque.
Shod with 22-inch Bridgestone tires and an air suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, Escalade rides exceptionally smooth and quietly. It handles superbly too. In sharp turns there’s virtually no body lean and it remains planted as its weight offers a secure, pleasurable ride. There’s also Park Assist that will park it for you with some guidance.
Escalade is an SUV you’d want for that long ride with the family to Disney in Orlando this summer. And large 11-inch video screens behind the front row headrests will provide movie time for the kids so that won’t have to ask, “Are we there yet?”
The standard safety feature list is lengthy and includes reverse automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert, trailer side blind zone alert, forward collision alert, front passenger braking, rear passenger alert and lane keeping assist w/lane departure warning.
With all that and lots more, Escalade had a base price of $113,695. Options added were night vision ($2,000), power assist steps ($1,750), console refrigerator/freezer ($700) and delivery, took the bottom line to $120,090. Yes, that is an NBA/NFL player price, but I spoke to a gent who was recently retired from the food produce business who said he treated himself to an Escalade as his retirement gift. He managed to get his for $90,000 nicely equipped.
If you can swing it, Escalade is a content laden, superb driving AWD that is good on road as it can be off-road when needed.
To its credit, Escalade has impressive government 5-star safety ratings of four stars as an overall score; five for driver frontal crash, four for passenger; five each for front/rear seat side crash; and three for rollover.
Escalade comes with a 4 year/50K bumper-bumper warranty, 6/70K powertrain coverage that includes roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and free first maintenance visit.