2016 Cadillac Escalade

The 2016 Cadillac Escalade comes in four trims, the prices vary from $72,000 to $92,000 for the top-of-the-range Platinum trim. It can cross $100,000 with the extended wheelbase version called the Escalade ESV. The standard creature comfort and safety features are great and one of Escalade's biggest selling points. Also as standard, you get a big V8 engine mated to an 8-speed gearbox with the choice of either RWD or 4WD drivetrain configuration.

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Rather than spending $100,000 on the top-end trims, the Luxury trim is the one to go for, it has every feature you'll ever need and only lacks the larger rear entertainment screen with some fancy gizmos and exotic materials for the cabin. Also, for under eighty grand, you get all the bells and whistles and add a couple of driver-assist features, a must for an SUV of this size.

The 2016 Cadillac Escalade is powered by a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 motor that churns out a gargantuan 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The power delivery is directed to the rear wheels as standard while the 4WD drivetrain is available. Despite being a heavy SUV the powerful V8 propels the Escalade from 0-60 mph in a matter of 5.7 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds. 

The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts well but the brakes are weak for the size and weight, they are sub-par at best and lack the feel. Overall, the power delivery is smooth and punchy, and overtaking is a breeze in the Escalade. The magnetic ride control comes as standard and it makes the SUV glide on uneven roads and bumps without losing its composure.

All the three rivals of the Escalade are not only cheaper than it but also each comes with a different engine under its hood. The Navigator gets a turbo V6 while the Range Rover packs in a supercharged V6 and the GMC Yukon like the Escalade gets a naturally aspirated V8 under its hood. As evident from the table the Escalade is not only the most powerful but also quickest in both the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile runs.

As per EPA, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade can return a fuel economy figure of 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined. With the 4WD the highway fuel economy figure drops by 1 mpg. The 2016 Escalade as standard comes with a 26-gallon fuel tank and the RWD Escalade can return a decent 390 miles and 572 miles range in the city and on the highway respectively.

Compared to the competition the Escalade’s fuel economy isn't the best in class. The Range Rover powered by a supercharged V6 returns the best 17/23/19 mpg in the city/highway/combined respectively while the Lincoln returns one mpg more in the city compared to the Escalade and packs in the biggest fuel tank of 28-gallon. 

The cabin of the 2016 Escalade screams luxury and opulence. An upwards of seventy-grand SUV has to fulfill certain benchmarks when it comes to interior fit, finish, and material quality. Cadillac has cut no corners and ensured the cabin features a choice of material with all the prominent touchpoints and seats covered in high-quality leather. 

As standard, you get seating for 8 with the second-row bench seats and seating for 7 with the second-row bucket seats. The front and rear seats are heated while the front seats also get power adjustment with a ventilation function. The tri-zone automatic climate control and a big sunroof keep everyone comfortable and happy. Also, available as standard is the rear-seat entertainment screens that increase in size and number as you climb the trim ladder.

Except for the Land Rover Range Rover that has only two-row seats with seating for five passengers all the other SUVs offer either seven or eight seats. Being a dimensionally big SUV the Escalade has a very generous cabin space but still falls short of the enormous cabin space offered on the Lincoln Navigator. The space in the first two rows is almost similar in both the SUVs but the Navigator offers a far more spacious third-row compared to the Escalade. Not only this the Navigator has the biggest 18.1 cubic feet of boot compared to that Escalade offers just 15.2 cubic feet of boot space. Key interior features include:

• Leather upholstery
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Power-adjustable seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated and tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Available front seats massage function

How intuitive is the Cadillac Escalade’s infotainment system?

As standard, the 2016 Cadillac Escalade comes with a Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system that runs on an 8-inch touchscreen. Other nifty features that tag along this system include a 16-speaker Bose surround sound system, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice command, Apple CarPlay, etc. Key infotainment system features include:

• Bose surround sound system
• Navigation
• Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth
• 8-inch touchscreen

The imposing stance of the 2016 Cadillac Escalade is second to none. The huge front grille, signature headlamps, and chrome accents all around push the Escalade far away from subtle. It is the type of vehicle that requires a certain taste and confidence to own because the boldness for some is brashness for others. The massive SUV rides on 20-inch wheels as a standard that can be upsized to up to 22-inch. The headlights are LED with automatic on/off function while the cornering lamps and automatic high beam headlights are available in higher trims. 

When we talk about the dimensions only the Lincoln Navigator has the sheer size to beat the Cadillac Escalade in terms of length, height, and wheelbase. While the Range Rover with 81.6-inches of width remains the widest SUV among all and with 8.7-inches has the highest ground clearance. Key exterior features include:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Sunroof
• Power-folding outside mirror
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Running board

A full-length crash-test hasn’t been conducted by either the NHTSA or the IIHS for the 2016 Cadillac Escalade. Although the NHTSA has partially crash-tested the Escalade, it received a five out of five-star rating for the side crash test and a three-star rating for the rollover test. The Cadillac Escalade comes with a host of active and safety features but the advanced driver-assist features are limited to the higher trims or part of the optional package. Key safety features include:

• Blind-zone alert
• Safety alert seats
• Adaptive cruise control
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Optional Driver Awareness package
• Front and rear park assists
• Child safety locks

The Cadillac Escalade is a big and butch SUV that not only costs a bomb but is also not everyone’s cup of tea or a daily driver. Starting at seventy grand this SUV is an epitome of luxury and space with lots of gizmos packed in. The powerful V8 engine ensures that this mighty SUV never feels underpowered while the fuel economy ratings are also respectable for an SUV this size. Although it has a cramped third-row and smaller cargo space. That’s exactly where the Lincoln Navigator comes into the picture and makes the Escalade look a poor choice in front of it.