Used 2021 Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac’s full-size 3-row luxury SUV has entered its fifth generation. This all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade represents a huge technological leap over the current model, thanks to a new ladder frame with independent rear suspension and dramatically improved packaging that makes this luxurious family hauler much roomier inside, particularly in the second and third rows.

Of note, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade comes with 2nd-row captain’s chairs standard, and a middle bench seat is a no-cost option. The standard Escalade has grown by about 7 inches, while the longer Escalade ESV is up by 2.5.

The direct-injected 6.2-liter V8 is a carryover from last year, but the new Escalade now is available for the first time with a diesel engine.

It’s the same smooth 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 that gives the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups such outstanding fuel economy, and, like the gasoline V8, it mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) Escalades continue to be available.

The main competition for the new Cadillac Escalade (base price, $76,195) remains the Lincoln Navigator, which starts at $75,825. Another large and luxurious 3-row SUV to consider is the Escalade’s cousin, the GMC Yukon XL in opulent Denali form. It starts at $72,395.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade makes you feel like the king of the road. This is similar to its also-new General Motors siblings the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, but the Caddy feels even bigger and more prestigious. Unlike those vehicles, the Cadillac comes with GM’s 6.2 V8 engine. That’s a good thing, because at over 5,600 pounds, the Escalade is a lot of vehicle. In this application this extra grunt feels just enough. We think the diesel engine – which is a no-cost option and will be available after launch – would also make a good pairing.

Whichever engine you choose, you’ll get an amazingly smooth 10-speed transmission. Our test vehicle was equipped with the optional magnetic ride control and 4-corner air suspension. Combined with the newly standard independent rear suspension, this is the most refined and comfortable Escalade yet. It glides easily over the road and makes short work of pavement imperfections.

As you can probably guess, the Escalade’s size makes it unwieldy in parking lots, and you’ll also feel its massive presence on narrower roads. On the open highway, though, you might find yourself tipping a hat and giving a knowing wave to semi-truckers.

Speaking of the highway, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade will debut the next generation of Super Cruise, GM’s hand-free automated driving system. Past versions have won acclaim for their autonomous driving abilities. But be aware that Super Cruise is not available on the Escalade at launch. If you really want the system, you’ll have to wait until it is rolled out in the Escalade. Also note that due to the hardware needed for Super Cruise, 2021 models of the Escalade ordered without it cannot be retrofitted to have it or simply upgraded over the air like a Tesla.

The Escalade’s massive panel of screens, including that headline-grabbing 38-inch display, indeed looks impressive. This is even more the case when fitted with an augmented reality system similar to that found in new Mercedes-Benz models like the GLS 3-row SUV. This ingenious technology overlays directions on a live camera feed of the road ahead so you never miss a turn.

But the Escalade’s new infotainment system is not as intuitive as we would have liked. There is a steep learning curve, and some aspects are more complicated than they need to be. For example, simply zooming in or out on a map should not be a multi-step process. We recommend giving yourself a chunk of time in a parked Escalade to familiarize yourself with the system before hitting the road.

The independent rear suspension does more than improve the ride quality of the new Escalade. It takes up less space than the live-axle arrangement of the 2020 Cadillac Escalade, so GM engineers were able to lower both rows of rear seats and make the whole area in back feel much roomier.

Real adults can now fit comfortably in the third row, thanks to 10 extra inches of legroom, and the cargo area is larger as well. In the standard-length Escalade, space behind the third row has grown to 25.5 cubic feet, up from 15.2. When you fold the third row, there’s 63 cubic feet of cargo room, up from 51.6. The longer 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV, the one that’s the size of the Chevy Suburban, has even more space for passengers and gear.

While base Escalades have leatherette seating, all higher trims get leather. And everywhere you look, luxury abounds. All models have 3-zone climate control and power fronts seats – 12-way for lower trims and 16-way for the top trims. The 16-way seats even have a massage function. Center-row captain’s chairs are standard; if you need seats for eight, a center bench is a no-cost option.

The 2021 Escalade also has an available navigation system with augmented reality. As you approach required turns, live street views and an arrow are displayed on the OLED screen to provide added route clarity.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is unmistakably an Escalade, but it has been redesigned with vertical front lighting elements, horizontal headlights, and tall 3-dimensional taillights. There’s also a rear spoiler that hides the rear windshield wiper.

Twenty-two-inch alloy wheels are standard, and they don’t look all that big on the bold new Escalade, which also will be available as a Sport for the first time. The Escalade Sport is distinguished by a black mesh grille and other black exterior trim elements.

Similarly, the Luxury and Premium Escalades wear a bright Galvano trim, while the top-of-the-range Platinum models have their own distinctive interior and exterior details.

OLED INFOTAINMENT SCREEN
The new Cadillac Escalade has a huge curved Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) infotainment screen with more than 38 diagonal inches of display area. It’s actually comprised of three digital panels. The 14.2-inch center panel contains the driver information center and the instrument cluster, while the much larger screen to the right shows audio, navigation, and phone info. The clarity and definition of this huge screen are nothing short of a sight to behold.

NEW DIESEL ENGINE
We’ve sampled this smooth new powerplant in the GMC Sierra pickup and came away impressed by more than its outstanding highway fuel economy. But remember that this 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6, a no-cost option, is a relatively small-displacement engine not designed to be the Escalade’s towing workhorse. While the diesel is able to tow nearly as well as the 6.2-liter V8, its calling card is relaxed low-end torque and impressive fuel efficiency.

The base 2021 Cadillac Escalade, called the Luxury, has 12-way power-adjustable leatherette seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 3-zone climate control, a power liftgate, the nifty OLED information panel, and a 19-speaker audio system. It also has wireless smartphone charging and a trailering package. There’s a good safety suite, too, featuring automatic emergency braking. Like all 2021 Escalades, the Luxury can be ordered with the gasoline V8 or the turbodiesel inline-6.

Bumping up the luxury quotient is the Escalade Premium Luxury model. It has a genuine leather interior and a panoramic sunroof, plus a head-up display and a rear camera mirror. A more thorough safety suite has lane-keeping assist and a blind-spot warning system, a technology that should be standard on vehicles at the Escalade’s price.

For the record, Magnetic Ride Control is standard only on the Platinum, Platinum Luxury and Sport Escalades. Air suspension is standard only on the Platinum models (while being available as an option on the Premium Luxury and Sport).

At the Platinum Luxury level, the 2021 Escalade becomes even more opulent. In addition to upgraded semi-aniline interior leather and massaging seats, it has a 36-speaker (!) AKG stereo and soft-close doors, adaptive cruise control, automatic reverse braking, an electronic limited-slip differential, and the aforementioned Magnetic Ride Control with Air Suspension.

While the Escalade Sport has Mulan interior leather and a black mesh grille, the Escalade Platinum Sport model gets semi-aniline leather (in its first two rows) and massaging seats, along with Magnetic Ride Control, Air Suspension, and adaptive cruise control.

The new diesel engine is a no-cost option on all 2021 Cadillac Escalades. Four-wheel drive, also available on all new Escalades, is an extra $3,000.

The Escalade Luxury, along with the Platinum Luxury and Platinum Sport models, are available with a power 2nd-row bench seat, and the latter two flagship models also can be ordered with Night Vision.

Many more options are available on the Escalade Premium Luxury. In addition to a 36-speaker AKG audio system, soft-close doors, and an electronic limited-slip differential, options include Magnetic Ride Control, air suspension, Night Vision, Reverse Automatic Braking, and a more advanced level of adaptive cruise control

Three major options packages are available: a $3,650 Driver Assist and Tech Package, a $2,700 Z66 Performance Package, and a $600 Heavy Duty Trailering Package.

Notable stand-alone options on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade:

Power-assist side steps: $1,750
Super Cruise: $2,500
36-speaker AKG stereo: $4,300
Night Vision: $2,000
Console cooler: $2,000
Rear-seat entertainment system: $1,995
22-inch polished multi-spoke alloy wheels with dark finish: $1,995
Crystal White Tricoat paint (and a few other colors): $1,225

Two engines are available in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The first is the familiar 6.2-liter V8, a direct-injected aluminum-block engine that produces 420 horsepower and a healthy 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s a proven engine that works well in this big luxurious SUV, with fuel economy aided by automatic cylinder deactivation at light loads.

New this year is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6. This engine, a no-cost option, produces 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque at a relaxed 1,500 rpm. In 2WD form, the new Cadillac Escalade diesel is rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city/27 mpg hwy/23 mpg combined. With 4WD, the Escalade diesel achieves 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined. Note: The Escalade diesel has a DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) tank that occasionally needs to be refilled, typically at oil-change intervals.

6.2-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (2WD), 14/19 mpg (4WD), 14/20 mpg (ESV 2WD), 14/19 mpg (ESV 4WD)

3.0-liter turbodiesel I6
277 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
460 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg (2WD), 20/26 mpg (4WD)