History/Overview
The Cadillac Escalade has reigned as the top-dog in luxury SUVs since it arrived in the late 1990s. The upmarket version of the Chevrolet Tahoe is the vehicle you're likely to see athletes and celebrities being shuttled around in, as well as large families who also want to tow their boat to the lake house.
What's New
For 2021, The Escalade ESV, the longer version of the Escalade, is all-new. That means a new platform with more cargo space and passenger space inside along with an independent rear suspension for a better ride. It's also loaded with new tech features like a massive 38.0-inch infotainment screen.
Available Trims
Cadillac will offer the Escalade ESV in a wide range of trims, but they branch off into luxury and sport. Luxury is the base model, and it can be had with the 6.2L V8 or 3.0L diesel (as can all trims). Above that is Premium Luxury and Premium Luxury Platinum. On the Sport side, which adds unique trim and suspension tuning, there is Sport and Sport Platinum.
Standard Features
Luxury trim comes standard with the 6.2L V8 and 10-speed automatic, as well as 22-inch wheels, that 38.0-inch screen, and an AKG Studio 19-speaker audio system. LED head and taillights are standard along with auto high beams. Other premium features include a power tailgate, power-adjustable seats, augmented reality navigation, heated wheel, and driver assistance features like forward collision alert, park assist, and a surround-view camera.
Premium Luxury adds a panoramic sunroof as well as rear camera mirror and full-colour head-up display. It adds more driver assistance features like rear cross-traffic alert, lane change warnings, and automatic parking assist. Premium Luxury Platinum adds leather to to cluster, console, and door panels as well as 18-way front seats with ventilation and massage. There are special alloys and grille, along with rear-seat entertainment and a 36-speaker audio system. Adaptive air ride comes standard, as does magnetic ride control and a limited-slip rear differential. Radar cruise control, soft close doors, and enhanced automatic emergency braking are included.
Sport comes with all the features of Premium Luxury, but swaps the grille for a gloss black mesh piece and dark finish wheels. A performance package is included with limited-slip rear diff, magnetic ride control, and trailer integration. Sport Platinum adds to that the features that come with Premium Luxury Platinum.
Key Options
There are no significant option packages on Luxury, but Driver Assist and Performance Packages are available on Premium Luxury. Super Cruise hands-off driving assist is also an option on Premium Luxury and up. Driver-assist tech is also optional on Sport, along with a black badge pack.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV's fuel economy estimates aren't yet available for the gas or diesel engines.
Competition
The Escalade competes with the slightly smaller but equally premium Lincoln Navigator. Likewise, it runs in the same circles as the more off-road oriented Lexus LX and the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
