The 2021 Cadillac Escalade starts its fifth generation and has undergone a thorough redesign. A new independent rear suspension, updated interior technology, attractive styling, and a new optional diesel-powered engine are part of its new generation.
This year, Cadillac is introducing the new extended-length ESV is the long-wheelbase version of the Escalade, which features more rear-seat room and cargo space than the regular Escalade. It also packs in new technology features, including Cadillac’s Super Cruise — one of the best semi-automated driving systems, and a sophisticated display that spans most of the dashboard. We’re pretty excited about this new version of this standout Cadillac, but for the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on the standard sized Escalade.
TRIMS
You can choose from five distinct trims, with two choices for the Platinum trim.
- Luxury: Starting price $76,820
- Premium Luxury: Starting price $83,620
- Sport: Starting Price $86,820
- Premium Luxury Platinum: Starting price $99,995
- Sport Platinum: Starting price $101,220
EXTERIOR
The all-new Escalade offers some impressive new changes, from its new front Sport grille and expressive expansion, to its reimagined headlamps and 22” standard wheels — the Escalade is out to make a statement.
As the largest and longest Escalade ever, it extends 8 inches longer than previous models and provides an additional 10.1 inches of third-row legroom. Passengers will appreciate ample room to spread out, regardless of where they sit.
You will find etching of the Cadillac script on each of its thin, sleek horizontal headlamps, along with ornate details around the headlamp housing. Three-feet full-LED taillamps include the Cadillac Crest molded into the Light Blade.
A unique V-Series-inspired blacked-out grille is featured on the Sport trim.
Color:
- Black Raven
- Crystal White Tricoat
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Shadow Metallic
- Sandstone Metallic
- Dark Moon Blue Metallic
- Dark Mocha Metallic
- Infrared Tintcoat
Luxury trim:
- Gloss-black grill with bright chrome chevron pattern
- LED Daytime Running Lamps
- Rainsense wipers – detects the amount of water on the windshield and automatically controls the frequency of the windshield wiper
- 22” 14-spoke alloy wheels with Bright Silver Finish
Premium Luxury: Includes Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Galvano finish on grille, front fascia trim, door handles, bodyside molding, liftgate trim, and exhaust bezel
- 22” 14-spoke alloy wheels with polished finish
- Available 22” multi-spoke Polished wheels with Dark Android finish
- Available 22” 12-spoke wheels with Chrome finish
- Available 22” 12-spoke wheels with High-Gloss Black finish
Sport trim: Includes Premium Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Gloss-black: front fascia trim, roof rack, window trim, bodyside molding, running boards, liftgate trim and exhaust bezel
- 22” 12-spoke polished alloy wheels with Dark Android finish
- Available Premium Luxury wheels
Premium Luxury Platinum: Includes Premium Luxury features with addition of the following:
- 22” 10-spoke alloy wheels with Dark Android finish and laser etching
- Unique Platinum Galvano grille
- Galvano bodyside moldings
- Chrome roof-mounted luggage rack
- Available Premium Luxury wheels
Sport Platinum:
- Gloss-black Sport grille
- Gloss-black: front fascia trim, roof rack, window trim, bodyside molding, running boards, liftgate trim and exhaust bezel
- Body-color door handles
- Chrome roof-mounted luggage rack
- Available Premium Luxury wheels
INTERIOR
The all-new Escalade has room for everyone and everything. Both driver and passenger are treated to a spacious and comfortable ride, with exorbitant amounts of head-, arm-, and legroom. And don’t think that cargo capacity gets short-changed with all that extra room for seating. With 121 cubes, there’s ample room to pack it all in.
The 2021 Escalade brings a whole new level of luxury in its materials and craftsmanship, ambient lighting, and comfort. Second-row passengers will enjoy seats just as plush as those in the front, and third-row seating is roomier than before and can now adequately hold adults.
Luxury:
- Leatherette seats with Linear Tiger Woods Trim
- Ambient Interior Lighting – features 8 color options
- Automatic heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 12-way power driver and front-passenger heated seats with lumbar function
- Available second-row 60/40 split-folding bench
Premium Luxury and Sport: Includes or replaces Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Leather seating surfaces
- 12-way power driver and front passenger heated and ventilated seats with lumbar function
- Panoramic sunroof
Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum: – Includes or replaces Premium Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Leather-wrapped interior trim including instrument panel, console, and upper-door panels
- 16-way power driver and front-passenger heated and ventilated seats with lumbar and massage function
- Full Semi-Aniline leather seats
- Available Console refrigerator and freezer mode
SAFETY
With Cadillac’s intuitive driver-assistance systems, it provides confidence in every driving situation. There are plenty of driver-assistance features that come standard in all trims, and in all trims above the Luxury, you’re offered an array of additional features.
Standard on all trims:
- Automatic Emergency Braking – helps to reduce or avoid the severity or a front-end collision
- Forward Collision Alert – works with Automatic Emergency to avoid collision
- HD Surround Vision – uses front, side and rear camera to display the area around your vehicle
- Front Pedestrian Braking – detects pedestrians directly ahead of you and can provide hard emergency braking to help reduce collision
- Rear Pedestrian Alert – detects pedestrians directly behind your vehicles
- Safety Alert Seat – generates vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower bolster to alert the drive of potential dangers
Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, and Sport Platinum:
- Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist – detects parking spots while your vehicle is moving forward below 18 mph. Automatically steers and brakes into the detected spot
- Driver Awareness Plus – includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Available Driver Assist Tech Package – includes Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, front and rear soft-close/-cinching doors, illuminating sill plates, Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Automatic Seat Belt Tightening
- Available Power Assist Steps – automatically extends from beneath the vehicle on the side in which the door has been opened
TECHNOLOGY
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade’s revolutionary technology presents a new perspective on how you see and interact with your vehicle. All trims come standard with a three curved OLED* display digital dashboard that layers on top of one another to create an unparalleled 38-inches of combined digital housing. It is the industry’s first curved OLED display that enables bold imagery, perfect blacks, and the largest color range available.
*OLED stands for Organic-Light Emitting Diode – meaning the screen isn’t back lit like a standard LED
Luxury:
- AKG Studio 19-speaker sound system – places speakers strategically to custom-tune the interior
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability – accesses certain features of your phone through the infotainment system or your phone interface
Premium Luxury and Sport: Includes Luxury trim features with the addition of the following:
- Full-color Head-Up Display – projects information onto the windshield.
- Rear Camera Mirror with Remote Wash – routes washer fluid to the rear camera lens
- Available Rear Seat Entertainment system with dual independent 12.6” diagonal infotainment displays
- Available Super Cruise driver-assistance feature – hands-free driving on compatible highways
- Available Night Vision - infrared sensors behind the front grille and your rearview mirror to sense people, animals, and objects in front of you
- Available AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker sound system – 360-degree sound throughout the cabin
Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum: Includes Premium Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker sound system
- Rear Seat Entertainment system with dual independent 12.6” diagonal infotainment displays
- Available Super Cruise
- Available Night Vision
POWER AND PERFORMANCE
Advanced performance features provide added confidence and a new independent rear suspension helps provide a smoother ride. All Escalades come standard with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine with Dynamic Fuel Management.
Luxury:
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Automatic Stop/Start with disable switch
- Available Duramax 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel engine
- Available Four-wheel drive
Premium Luxury: Includes Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Available Performance Package includes Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, Magnetic Ride Control and Trailering Integration package
Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum: Includes Premium Luxury features with the addition of the following:
- Performance Package includes Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, Magnetic Ride Control and Trailering Integration package
- Available Duramax 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel engine
- Available Four-Wheel Drive
Fuel:
- 15/20 mpg city and highway – 6.2-liter V8 Rear-wheel drive
- 14/19 mpg city/highway – All-wheel drive
Towing:
- The Escalade can tow up to 8200 lbs on 2wd models
WARRANTY
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
CONCLUSION
This futuristic, powerful, luxury SUV is the wave of this new generation. With its high-tech standards and enhanced driving experience, as well as exceptional comfort for your crew and room for your gear, it is undeniably first class. If you are in the market for a full-size luxury SUV, the all-new 2021 Cadillac does not disappoint.