What Is the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV with space for seven or eight people in three rows of seats. Rivals of Cadillac’s largest and most luxurious sport utility include the Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The Escalade’s standard powertrain is a 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 that sends power to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a relatively fuel-efficient 277-hp, turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is available with either engine. Newly added for the 2023 model year is the high-performance Escalade-V.
Cadillac also offers an extended-length ESV version, covered separately in Cars.com’s Research section, with even more cargo volume and third-row legroom. You can see how cargo space varies by using Cars.com’s cargo measurements. If car seats are part of your daily driving routine, you can see how the Escalade scored in our Car Seat Check here.
What’s New on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
Cadillac brings the Escalade into its V-Series of high-performance vehicles with the addition of the outlandish Escalade-V. Borrowing the supercharged V-8 used in the CT5-V Blackwing performance sedan, it has an earth-moving 682 hp, as well as specific styling touches, upgraded brakes and suspension, retuned air suspension settings and standard four-wheel drive.
What Features in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Curved organic light-emitting diode digital dashboard
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
- AKG Studio sound system
- Navigation system with augmented-reality capability
- Wireless device charging
- Automatic emergency braking
- 360-degree camera system
- 22-inch alloy wheels
Available features include:
- Soft-closing doors
- Adaptive air suspension
- Panoramic moonroof
- Ventilated and massaging front seats
- Console refrigerator
- Head-up display
- Rearview camera mirror
- Dual-screen rear entertainment system
- Super Cruise hands-free driving system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse automatic emergency braking
- Night Vision system
Should I Buy the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
The Escalade offers acres of space and gobs of power, especially with the arrival of the outrageous Escalade-V. Few SUVs serve up this much interior room and luxury, and the Escalade is absolutely brimming with tech and comfort features. Downsides include a steep asking price and poor fuel economy with the two available V-8 engines. Given its sheer size, the Escalade is easier to maneuver than you imagine, but there’s no getting around the fact that this is a huge ‘ute, so plan your parking spots accordingly.
