2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, with a base asking price of $80,090, would be now available in 6 standard trims including the new Escalade V. All trims will share a standard 6.2l 8 and a 10-speed automatic transmission with the drive sent to either the rear wheel or all four wheels depending on the trim and configuration chosen for. The sporty V model will get a similar displacement gasoline V8 motor with a supercharger bolted on and will only be offered in a standard all-wheel-drive configuration. It also gets sporty dark exterior bits, better Brembo brakes with red calipers, tuned suspension, and a Catback exhaust system. However, all trims except the Escalade V also get access to the Torquey and fuel-efficient 3.0L Duramax diesel engine.

Talking about features, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade is packed with tech. To start with, you get a crazy large 14.2-inch cluster display, a 7.2-inch control panel, and a 16.9-inch infotainment screen as standard fitment across the board. If that isn’t enough screens for you, Cadillac will also offer you a rear-entertainment kit that pushes the number of screens on this SUV to a whopping 5. Every basic amenity including a tri-zone climate control system, high-grade seat upholstery, premium audio system, power seat function with heating, and every other feature you could think off gets offered as standard fitment. The exterior features like full LED lighting, power heated mirrors, panoramic moonroof, and 22-inch wheels (design may vary with trim) also come in as a part of the base package. Cadillac has also made sure that most high-end features are available as options on even the base trim so that customers can opt for them if required at additional cost from base pricing, which we think is a nice touch and also prevents the need for upgrading to a higher trim just for a single required feature.

Since most of the basic equipment has been shuffled across the range rather lavishly, you are limited on packages with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The only basic options you get here are an all-weather protection package that retails for $350-$400, a floor liner package for $525, a cargo convenience package for $855, and an illumination package for $1,095. Given that most equipment can be equipped on order with any trim, we are not surprised here by Cadillac skimping out on packages.

We Recommend

Even though the base trim would suffice the needs of an average buyer, the trim which we think is the best buy of the lot is the Premium Luxury Platinum grade. Although it pushes the base pricing to over $100,000 you get features like 12-way front seats with 4-way lumbar and lumbar massage functions, soft close doors, adaptive cruise control, and a 36-speaker AKG premium audio system with Bluetooth headphones, self-parking features (a must need) and a heads-up display. Since you are already spending way too much money on an SUV, the above-mentioned trim makes the most sense for the money you pay.

Release Date

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade is already up for order. Expect deliveries to begin mid-fall this year.

Fuel economy is one place the 2023 Cadillac Escalade takes a hard hit with its dated 6.2L V8 motor. With an EPA-rated combined efficiency of just 16mpg and a highway economy rating of just 19mpg, the new Escalade is definitely a thirsty SUV and a really bad one at that. Even though the SUV gets around 10 ratios to play with, the displayed real-world economy numbers always stay under 15 mpg. The 24-gallon gas tank, while not the biggest, is decent in size. However, the dismal economy numbers limit the range to under 400 miles in combined driving cycles and 450 miles in highway driving cycles, which is on the lower side.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 with its small-displacing EQ-Boost engine manages to come out as the most efficient unit here returning almost 24 miles to the gallon in the best conditions. Even though it has one of the smaller fuel tanks here, the Merc does manage to come out as one with the best fuel range, almost identical to the Jeep Wagoneer with its class biggest 26.5-gallon tank. The Navigator comes a close second in individual economy figures but falls back in the range tame owing to its smaller 23.6-gallon tank. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade gets pushed to the back of the class given its dated engine design offering no modern hybrid assistance tech to boost efficiency.

If there is one aspect that blows everyone’s minds when seeing the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, then it has got to be its interiors. It’s packed with tech and oozes luxury. Though the fit, finish, and longevity of some of the stuff in here is questionable, the initial appeal that you get when getting in for the first time is just out of this world. You even get fricking headphones that connect to the infotainment in the higher trims and that's enough saying of what you get inside this fullsize monster SUV. Name a feature and the 2023 Cadillac Escalade probably has got it in as standard fitment. The 3-huge displays housed behind the steering wheel that comes in standard fitment are what grab the most attention. Even though it has been called out for its bugs in the past, Cadillac now seems to have sorted out most things wrong with the software which will be discussed in detail in this review.

Coming to the seats, the space is in abundance here, be it any row. Spec it right and you get 16-way of power adjustment, ventilation, heating, and massage function. Even the second-row outboard seats get heating as standard. However, we are a bit disappointed that you don’t get standard front seat ventilation at this price, and also, genuine leather seats come in from higher trim with the base trims having to do with proprietary leatherette material. The second-row seats also have a lot of room on offer, gets separate climate control, and can be equipped with a rear seat entertainment package with two separate front-seat headrest back screens. Being huge, the third row on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade is highly usable with lots of shoulder room and decent legroom on offer. However, the manual tumble down of the second-row captain chairs feel a bit cheap on an otherwise well-specced SUV, we must say. Also, the cargo shrinks to just 25.5cu-ft. with the third rows in use from an otherwise humongous 73-cu-ft void at the back of the second-row seats.

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450, being the smallest SUV, has the least interior and cargo space on offer despite boasting the longest wheelbase. The Jeep Wagoneer is the biggest SUV here with the second longest wheelbase, but apart from the shoulder room, and cargo area behind third-row seats, it does not showcase a thoughtful use of cabin space. The navigator has the most lavish cabin but lacks a seat back storage area. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade on the other hand, with a slight compromise on legroom, offers a ton of trunk space and also has the best compromise of space between passenger and cargo compartments.

Some standout interior features of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade include:

• 3-front row high-resolution screens (2-screen rear seat entertainment available)
• Leather seat surfaces (available)
• 12-way power-operated front seats with heating/ ventilation
• Front seats lumbar massage and driver seat memory functions (available)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with electronic adjustment
• Standard tri-zone automatic climate control
• One-touch panoramic sunroof (available)
• Electronic parking brake

How intuitive is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade’s infotainment system?

Three crisp screens form a nice arch in the driver’s eyesight and form the basic information center for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. While the unit at the right forms the infotainment system, the central unit operates like a multifunction instrument cluster while the smallest unit, placed far left neatly integrates the trip computer, instrument cluster functions, and heads-up-display setting. The screen themselves are of high resolution and feels really slick going through the animations. The instrument cluster can display a full-screen map on it, gets augmented reality navigation, and also car project live feed from the night vision camera (if equipped). The infotainment screen is intuitive and gets a lot of connectivity options and gets a wide suit of vehicle diagnostic/ service information. Though the system was a bit too buggy with the initial model years, Cadillac has done a great job in negating all the glitches to a point that we rarely saw a hiccup from any of the units in our general use. The available 36-speaker AKG premium audio system does need a special mention here and it simply is one of the best sound systems we have ever come across in this business.

Standout infotainment features available with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade:

• 16.9-inch infotainment system
• 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 7.4-inch control panel
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity
• 19-Speaker AKG premium audio system (36-speaker unit available)
• Bluetooth/ SiriusXM/ 4G LTE/ WiFi Hot Spot
• Navigation (available)
• Wireless phone charger
• 3D surround camera

Though Cadillac Escalade SUVs never have generally oozed outright sex appeal visually, it always has been striking to look at no matter what generation you take. This trend continues with the latest generation with this particular design finding it a bit hard to mask the overall visual bulk a bit worse than the iteration it replaces. However, there is no mistaking the Escalade for something else and it commands a real presence. Even though the individual body elements do looks a bit odd close, all things do come together for a rather bold-looking full-sizer. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade rides on 22-inch wheels as standard which comes in different designs and shades depending on the trim that you go for. Basic features like full LED exterior lighting, IntelliBeam automatic headlamps, heated power-adjustable mirrors with memory function, hands-free tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, illuminating door handles, chrome roof rails and deep tinted glass come in as standard. Meanwhile, amenities like a panoramic sunroof, power-retractable steps, and adaptive headlamps only start appearing in the spec sheet as you go up the trim line

The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 is the lightest car here and also offers the longest wheels base. The Jeep Wagoneer comes close in wheelbase but has noticeably bigger proportions contributing to its extremely high curb weight. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator are almost similar in shell size and weight, but the latter does offer a slightly longer wheelbase helping it squeeze out better legroom in each row.

Some of the standout exterior features on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade include;

• Full LED headlamps/ tail lamps with signature DRLs
• IntelliBeam automatic headlamps
• Heated and power-adjustable outside rear-view mirrors 
• Driver mirror memory and auto-dimming functions
• 22–inch alloy wheels (color and design vary)
• One-touch panoramic moon roof.
• Keyless entry
• Hands-free tailgate

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, being a full-size SUV running on a ladder frame, does compromise a bit on crash safety ratings. Even though IIHS is yet to conduct any tests, the NHTSA has awarded it 4-stars, which is just average considering the safety standards set by vehicles built in recent times. Also, Cadillac has missed the opportunity to equip the vehicle with all advanced safety features as it misses out on features like Blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking from the standard packaging. In all, despite what the huge size suggests, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade is low on safety in comparison to even some of the entry-level compacts that come at a fraction of the price owing to its dated chassis and compromised advanced safety package.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Cadillac Escalade include;

• Auto Emergency braking w/ pedestrian detection
• Automatic parking assist (Available)
• Lane Keeping assist with lane departure warning
• Front and rear park assist
• Blind-spot detection/ Cross traffic alert (Available)
• Adaptive cruise control (Available)
• HD Surround vision camera
• Rear pedestrian braking

2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep Wagoneer is one of the newest entrants in the segment and is also one of the biggest. It straight away gets an advantage over the Cadillac Escalade for starting at a base price that is close to 20 grand cheaper than what a similar trim from the latter demands. However, being more prominent and cheaper does not translate entirely to a better state as the Jeep apart from, better fuel economy and trunk space, finds it hard to match the Escalade be it in actual cabin space, tech, ride comfort, performance, or maximum cargo capacity. The incredible heft of the Jeep also makes it a more cumbersome vehicle to drive around on a daily basis. Also, the insane number of technical complaints the Wagoneer has generated from owners within a short while after launch also makes it a hard recommendation.

2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator might be the closest rival to the Cadillac Escalade in most parameters including size, weight, technology, and price. Even though their performance metrics come identical, the Escalade slightly takes an edge here for being the better handling SUV. While the Navigator boasts a roomy cabin, the Escalade offers a significantly bigger trunk with not that big of a compromise in occupant space. The luxury levels are on point on both offerings and the feature distribution and availability are a give or take between them. So if you ask us, it is slightly difficult to pick a winner here. The choice should boil down to brand preferences and the kind of usage scenarios that you are looking for.

2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Mercedes GLS 450

The Mercedes GLS 450 might be the odd one out of the lot as it gets dwarfed by what America thinks fullsize SUVs should measure like. As to that, despite boasting the best wheelbase in this segment, it fails to match the giant, which is the Escalade in sheer size and volume. But the smaller size has helped the Merc handle better, put down better performance, and emerged as the more efficient SUV here. Also, Cadillac might just find it a bit hard to match the sheer opulence of the GLS 450 as most SUVs in the segment do. There is not a lot of difference in the base pricing here and you are getting a whole lot more car on the Escalade at a slightly higher premium, however, the pure class the GLS 450 exudes again, is something only a Mercedes can pull off.

The Cadillac Escalade, in its fifth generation since launch has transitioned to the most refined iteration yet. The latest generation Escalade was titled to be one of the best fullsize luxury SUVs to come out in recent times and that statement even stays true to this day. Apart from the extravagant pricing, minor safety issues, and low fuel economy numbers, there is pretty much nothing inversely affecting the appeal of this SUV. Managing the best compromise of performance, supreme luxury, cabin space, and practicality, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade would be one of the best mega SUVs to put your money into, period. This SUV might just have single-handedly lifted Cadillac from the drains and finally, they have a luxury product that it was always destined to be.