2022 Cadillac Escalade

Starting with the Cadillac badge pressed into its shiny black or chrome grille, the Escalade is bluff from its tall front end to its vertical taillights and has an imposing stance. Subtle fender flares break up the vast expanses of squared-off panels, and the Escalade tapers only slightly before it cuts off the styling discussion with those tall taillights.

The cabin wraps front passengers in 38 inches of curved OLED screens: that span’s comprised of a 14.2-inch gauge panel, a 16.9-inch central touchscreen, and a flanking 7.2-inch touchscreen. Pixels put out information across the dash like a Times Square ticker: trip computer readings on the left, camera views in the cluster or superimposed with augmented-reality overlays, night vision rendered as ghostly outlines. It’s a dazzling flourish of technology for what’s really Cadillac’s biggest tow appliance, and it’s massaged lovingly with luxury-grade finishes, from nut-brown leathers to gray wood trim, perforated or quilted upholstery, and thin ribs of metallic trim.

Rear-wheel-drive Escalades can be fitted with four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case and a limited-slip rear differential (mechanical or electronic, depending on the model). 

How fast is the Cadillac Escalade?

The new engine on the block, a 277-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel-6, arrived late in the 2021 model year. It’s capable enough, but slow in comparison with the usual Escalade drivetrain. On top of that, it takes years at current fuel prices to make the diesel pay back its extra cost—and it tows less.

The only real choice here is GM’s effortlessly strong and smooth 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8. Teamed with a 10-speed automatic, it hustles off the line and whispers through gearshifts on its way to 60 mph in about six seconds flat. It’s a superb combination, one that can tow up to 8,200 lb with an available tow package.

In its latest redesign, the Escalade adopted a new independent rear suspension, which does wonders for its ride and handling. Without any further add-ons, the Escalade delivers poised road manners, great road isolation, and quick steering responses. Cadillac offers adaptive magnetic dampers and an air suspension, which can lower or raise the Escalade by up to four inches; the combination offers a fast-reacting suspension that flattens out what would otherwise be a cumbersome ride, lowers the vehicle for better fuel economy, raises it for better ground clearance, and grants it a deft and maneuverable feel that finally puts it on par with Lincoln’s Navigator. It’s still difficult to park—the big SUV feels even bigger when trying to slip into a slimmer space—but with nicely weighted steering and a more controlled ride, the Escalade puts good road manners in its win column.

Row two can seat three across when it’s a no-cost bench seat, but most Escalades have captain’s chairs there, with tall doors that ease access for tall passengers. A pair of 12.6-inch entertainment screens keep those passengers distracted.

With its newly adopted independent rear suspension and up to 10 inches of additional leg room in this latest iteration, the Escalade can seat two adults or three small people in the rearmost seats, or it can fold those seatbacks down to create a flat load floor. Behind row three the Escalade sports 25.5 cubic feet of room; that swells to 109.1 cubic feet behind the front seats in the stock Escalade, or 126.6 cubes in the ESV.

The Escalade has standard automatic emergency braking, active lane control, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Higher trim levels add on standard blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and automatic park assist. Night vision is optional, as is Super Cruise, the driver-assist function that permits hands-free driving on a network of more than 130,000 miles of U.S. roads.

Escalade infotainment has an OLED curved screen, fast responses, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Which Cadillac Escalade should I buy?

For about $90,000, the Escalade Sport gains leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, magnetic dampers, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, and a trailering package, as well as adaptive cruise control and automatic park assist. 

How much is a fully loaded Cadillac Escalade?

For more than $100,000, the Platinum Luxury and Sport Luxury Escalades pile on semi-aniline leather upholstery, 16-way massaging front seats, 36-speaker AKG audio, and a mode-controlled air suspension.

Options range from a head-up display to a center console refrigerator, night vision, and Cadillac’s Super Cruise driver-assistance system.