Cadillac Escalade

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Model Overview

The Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV are GM’s flagship SUVs that compete against the Lincoln Navigator/L, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX 570, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Although the original Cadillac Escalade was rushed to market to counter the Lincoln Navigator, it quickly became the best-selling premium full-size body-on-frame SUV on the market. First introduced for 1999, the Escalade is now in its fourth generation and continues to climb upmarket with each successive version.

History

Despite borrowing liberally from the GMC Yukon Denali, the original Cadillac Escalade featured a revised front end and other exterior bits as well as a retuned suspension, drivetrain, and interior styling. Just three years after the first Escalade arrived, the automaker introduced the second-gen model for 2002. Power increased substantially from a 255-hp 5.7-liter V-8 to a choice of a 285-295-hp 5.3-liter V-8 or 345-hp 6.0-liter V-8.

By the time the third-generation Cadillac Escalade hit the streets, it was offered with either a 403-hp 6.2-liter V-8 or a Hybrid model making a combined output of 379 hp from a 6.0-liter V-8 and a pair of electric motors. High-end features offered on the Escalade included LED headlights, French-seamed leather, real wood trim, four DVD screens, and more.

The Latest Generation

Introduced in 2015, the current fourth-generation Escalade is the best-looking model yet. The interior has been completely redone with higher-quality materials, while fold-flat second- and third-row seats have been added. After testing, we liked the big Escalade ESV model with our complaints limited to fuel economy and the automaker’s CUE infotainment system.

The Cadillac Escalade placed first in our large luxury SUV Big Test. The top-spec Platinum model finished ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLS450, Lexus LX570s, Land Rover Range Rover HSE, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. We concluded: “The best looking, the best interior, the best sounding, and the quickest in our test. The Cadillac Escalade Platinum stole our hearts.”

Why You’d Consider One

The Cadillac Escalade Platinum has one of the nicest, if not the nicest, interior in its class. In addition to its real wood trim and high-quality leather, it also features standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi and a center console refrigerator. With a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, the Escalade was the quickest in our comparison as well.

Why You’d Look Elsewhere

While the Escalade has plenty of positive characteristics, it took a not-so-short 133 feet to stop from 60 mph in our tests. Although the Escalade is EPA-rated 15/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined, we saw just 14.1/20.5/16.4 mpg in our Real MPG testing.