2023 Cadillac Escalade

Overview

The Cadillac brand is synonymous with luxury, carving its niche over a century ago as one of the world's first automakers. Even then, Cadillac was determined to introduce drivers to a more luxurious way to travel. That commitment is apparent today in models like the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, the brand's flagship SUV that redefines every expectation of what luxury can and should be in a sport utility vehicle.

The 2023 Escalade is remarkable in many ways, showcasing Cadillac's century-long dedication and ingenuity for setting new standards of excellence across the segment. Sure, the Escalade shares DNA with brand siblings like the GMC Yukon, Chevy Tahoe, and Chevy Suburban, but it is legions beyond even their best trims. Cadillac doesn't reinvent the wheel but rather treats the Escalade like a blank canvas to redefine every expectation of luxury for American drivers.

For 2023, the Escalade challenges drivers to indulge, establishing new standards of luxury and innovation by making cutting-edge technologies and lavish amenities accessible to more drivers. It's an incredible combination that pairs exceptionally well with the Escalade's engaging performance, defying every preconceived notion of how a full-size SUV should handle. Models like the 2023 Escalade-V take that challenge to the next level, earning the title of the most powerful full-size SUV in the industry. It's a luxurious chariot with a penchant for speed and the capability to deliver—what more could anyone ask for?

From the speed-hungry Escalade-V to the semi-autonomous Super Cruise tool and the industry's first curved OLED display with over 38 inches of digital screens, the 2023 Escalade is a new benchmark for Cadillac. But what does that mean for you in the driver's seat? Here's a closer look at the 2023 Escalade and what makes it the most coveted and opulent full-size SUV in its segment.

Accommodations

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade redefines opulence as it prioritizes your comfort. However, Cadillac isn't satisfied with the status quo. This American automotive pioneer goes above and beyond the standard idea of luxury, encouraging drivers to think bigger, better, and beyond. This unprecedented challenge culminates in the Escalade's stunning interior, a showcase for Cadillac's legendary craftsmanship and keen attention to detail.

First and foremost, the 2023 Escalade recognizes the significance of offering three spacious rows of seating rather than focusing solely on the front two rows and treating the third row as an afterthought. This is a notable distinction because many SUVs fail in this arena. However, the Escalade goes above and beyond to ensure passengers across every row enjoy the ride and the iconic Cadillac experience.

The Escalade does this in several key ways, from offering 34.9 inches of legroom in the third row and 121 cu.ft. of cargo capacity to stretching its wheelbase on models like the Escalade ESV to yield 36.6 inches of legroom in the third row and a segment-leading cargo volume of 142.8 cu.ft. This spaciousness guarantees everyone's comfort and heightens the Escalade's versatility, begging drivers to test its cargo capacity and fill it with luggage, groceries, and other gear.

With ample space throughout the cabin, the 2023 Escalade focuses the rest of its attention on the finer details and the user experience. You and your co-pilot enjoy 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats with a built-in massaging feature. These are draped in meticulously crafted leather with flawless seams that showcase Cadillac's keen eye for detail. The cabin's deeply-grained wood trim complements the seating and is enhanced further by the Escalade's ambient interior lighting, which features 26 color options and stretches throughout the cabin to set the mood for every drive. This feature is only bettered by the Escalade's UltraView sunroof, which gives you and your passengers an expansive view of the sky and adds to the cabin's spacious and airy ambiance.

Performance

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade is the crossroads of luxury and performance. It's a full-size SUV with a penchant for speed, defying every standard of performance in the segment. Cadillac guarantees as much by outfitting the Escalade with its standard 6.2L V8 engine and intelligent ten-speed automatic transmission. The combination is remarkable, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque to deliver responsive off-the-line acceleration. Moreover, this standard powerplant establishes the Escalade's towing capability, with a maximum trailering capacity of 8,200 lbs on rear-wheel drive models.

Where most full-size SUVs stop with a V8 engine, Cadillac proves its commitment to exceeding expectations. You can outfit the Escalade with the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6 that produces 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque or opt for the first-ever Escalade-V with its hand-built 6.2L supercharged and inter-cooled engine. The supercharger lives up to the V-Series reputation, making the Escalade-V the most powerful in the segment by delivering 682 hp at 6,000 RPM and 653 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM. That translates to a launch from zero to sixty in under 4.4 seconds—a jaw-dropping feat for a full-size SUV.

Beyond the sheer power behind the Escalade's multi-engine lineup are several other features that enhance its performance, responsiveness, and ride quality. Among these are Magnetic Ride Control, an Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, and an electronic limited-slip differential.

Magnetic Ride Control is an incredible tool that reads the road 1,000 times per second, acutely modifying the Escalade's ride and handling before you notice the next pothole or bump in the street. Likewise, the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension Technology the Escalade's ride by electronically adjusting the SUV's ride height to accommodate every condition. With nearly four inches of travel available in the system, the Escalade rides like a dream, offers easy ingress and egress, and lightens the physical toll on your back when loading cargo.

Technology

As the most luxurious SUV in the segment, the 2023 Escalade features cutting-edge technologies that enhance your experience in the driver's seat. Cadillac spares no expense, outfitting the Escalade with the industry's first curved OLED display. This 16.9-inch color touchscreen offers seamless connectivity and an intuitive design with all the staples expected of a modern SUV.

The OLED infotainment experience features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Cadillac's standard Navigation system with Augmented Reality, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The navigation system is especially appealing, working with Cadillac's Augmented Reality to project a live street view on the Cluster Display behind the steering wheel. The oversized image features turn indicators, which increase in size as you near your turn, and critical information like arrival time, the street name, and the distance until a turn.

The Escalade's Augmented Reality is phenomenal and works with other tech-savvy features like the standard 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system or the industry-leading 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system. As you near your turn, the Augmented Reality system provides audible cues to the speakers relative to the turn. For example, the alerts come through the speakers on the left side as your approach an upcoming left turn. These cues create a more intuitive experience that redefines standard navigational tools known for "recalculating" routes and creating confusion behind the wheel.

Apart from connectivity and navigational features, the 2023 Escalade's technology suite includes one of the most extensive catalogs of safety and driver assistance tools in the segment. Every Escalade in the 2023 lineup features the Cadillac Smart System, which equips the SUV with expected features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Forward Collision Alert. Cadillac adds an HD Rear Vision Camera, HD Surround Vision, Teen Driver mode, and several other features that enhance the Escalade's value. Beyond this, you can also enjoy industry-leading tools like Super Cruise, a full-color Head-Up Display, Automatic Seat Belt Tightening, and a Night Vision Camera.